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INTRODUCTION
P HYSICAL S CIENCE
76
ENGINEERING
Stem
190.2
On a Shoestring
Earthquake Science
Have you ever wanted to build a structure that can withstand
the violent shaking of an earthquake? With the use of simple
everyday items, you can.
Use engineering skills to build a structure that will stand when
the shaking of an earthquake begins, and will allow you to test
your ability to design and re-design structures that can withstand an earthquake no matter where you live.
QUICK GUIDE:
Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
Activity Time: 2 to 3 hours
Est. Cost: $10 to $25 depending on group size
Age range: 4 years – adult
OKLAHOMA AFTERSCHOOL NETWORK
190.2
Os
smium
13
26.96
Al
69.72
Ga
Gallium
Os
smium
27
58.93
Co
Cobalt
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Stem
190.2
On a Shoestring
Aluminum
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190.2
P HYSICAL S CIENCE
E NGINEERING
Earthquake Science
Earthquakes happen all
over the world.
26.9
Al
Aluminum
40
91.22
Zr
Zirconium
Learn the science behind
earthquakes with this
activity using toothpicks
and marshmallows!
25
54.94
Mn
Manganese
All Shook Up
Things You Need
30 miniature marshmallows Directions
This activity includes making models of buildings and conducting an experiment to test
how well the structures stand up under the stress of an earthquake. Print journal sheets for
use in recording observations.
30 toothpicks
1.
Make cubes and triangles using toothpicks and marshmallows. The cubes and triangles may be stacked to make towers. The towers can have small or large bases.
4-5 disposable 11x13 bak-
2.
ing pans
Gelatin: enough for each
pan (can be made in advance)
Measuring cups
Place the marshmallow structures on the pans of gelatin.
3. If aluminum pans are used, tap the pans on the bottom to simulate compression or primary waves, or if glass baking dishes are used, shake them back and forth in a shearing motion to simulate S or secondary waves
4. After testing the structures, redesign, rebuild, and test again. What can make it
stronger? Did it topple? Should the the base be bigger? Make the structure taller or shorter?
5.
Draw and label the shapes in their designs (cube, triangle, etc).
Water
2
EARTHQUAKES
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in
the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. This is the textbook description, but as far back as Greek philosopher Anaxagoras in the 5th century BCE to the 14th century CE, earthquakes were usually attributed to "air (vapors) in the cavities
of the Earth.
Thales of Miletus, who lived from 625–547 (BCE) was the
only documented person who believed that earthquakes were
caused by tension between the earth and water. Other theories existed, including the Greek philosopher Anaxamines'
(585–526 BCE) beliefs that short incline episodes of dryness
and wetness caused seismic activity. The Greek philosopher
Democritus (460–371 BCE) blamed water in general for earthquakes.
It is estimated that around 500,000 earthquakes occur each
year, detectable with current instrumentation. Many of these
“earth shakers” are small and only detectable by seismic recorders, while others are felt readily by people across the
world. The milder earthquakes measuring 3.7–4.6 happen
every year, an earthquake of 4.7–5.5 happens every 10 years,
and an earthquake of 5.6 or larger is a once in a 100 year
event.
Earthquakes can trigger many forms of destruction: shaking
and rupturing ground, fires, tsunamis, floods, landslides and
avalanches.
One of the most devastating earthquakes in recorded history
occurred on 23 January 1556 in the Shaanxi province, China,
killing more than 830,000 people. One of the powerful earthquakes was measured at 9.5 on the seismograph, was in Chili
on May 22, 1960.
Learn more by clicking here
RICHTER SCALE
The Richter scale is a base-10
logarithmic scale used to measure seismic waves associated
with earthquakes. Developed
in 1935 by Charles Francis
Richter in partnership with
Beno Gutenberg, both from
the California Institute of Technology, the scale was firstly intended to be used only in a particular study area in California,
and on seismograms recorded
on a particular instrument, but
Charles Richter
it soon became the tool of choice
for measuring earth movements.
Now anytime that the earth quakes, tremors, shudders, or
moves instruments are ready to record and pinpoint when
and where good old planet earth even “hiccups”. Learn more
about the Richter Scale
3
The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method is a way to ask questions and
achieve answers by making observations, performing tests and doing experiments.
H
Will the structure stand after the shaking of the
earthquake?
Hypothesis
Q
What happens to the structure you built
when the shaking starts?
T
Question
Test different designs for the one that will stand
during an earthquake.
Test
R
Research
How do structures withstand an earthquake? Click on the terms below to learn
more about their meanings.
A
Which structure had the best results in the
most severe shaking of an earthquake?
Analyze
Click here to download a data sheet to
analyze and record your findings
4
Key Terms
EARTHQUAKE: An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves.
SEISMIC WAVES: Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth's layers, and are a result of an earthquake, explosion, or a volcano.
STRUCTURE: A structure is a body or assemblage of bodies in space to form a system capable of supporting loads. Physical structures include man-made and natural arrangements. Buildings, aircraft, soap films, skeletons, anthills, beaver dams and salt domes
are all examples of physical structures.
Definitions above are sourced from Wikipedia.
Other science terminology resources to explore:
The Science Dictionary
American Heritage Science Dictionary
5
Books about Careers
Police Officer Books:
Ready, Dee. Police Officers Help, Capstone Press Publishing,
1997 Grades Kindergarten – 5th
Adamson, Heather. A Day in the Life of a Police Officer,
Mankato, MN.: Capstone Publishing, 2004 Grades 1st – 3rd
White, Nancy. Police Officers to the Rescue, New York, NY:
Bearport Publishing, 2012 Grades 1st – 6th
Firefighter Books:
Goldish, Meish. Smoke Jumpers, New York, NY.: Bearport
Publishing, 2014 Grades Pre K – 3rd
Goldish, Meish. Firefighters to the Rescue, New York, NY.:
Bearport Publishing, 2014 Grades 1st- 6th
Goldish, Meish. City Firefighters, New York, NY.: Bearport
Publishing, 2014 Grades 2nd – 7th
White, Nancy. Aviation Firefighters, New York, NY.: Bearport
Publishing, 2014 Grades 2nd – 7th
Engineering Books:
Parmalee, Thomas. Genetic Engineering, Edina, MN.: ABDO
Publishing, 2008 Grades 6th – 8th
Farrell, Courtney. Green Jobs, North Mankato, MN.: ABDO
Publishing, 2011 Grades 9th – 12th
Hamen, Susan E. Engineering, Edina, MN.: ABDO Publishing,
2011 Grades 9th – 12th
Scientist:
Hanson, Anders. Scientist’s Tools, Minneapolis, MN.: ABDO
Publishing, 2011 Grades 3rd – 5th
McMullin, Ruth. EXPEDITIONS Scientist in the Field (Science Adventures from Nature and Science Magazine), Natural
History Press, 1969 Grades 6th – 8th
Chef Books:
Butterworth, Christine; Gaggiotti, Lucia. How Did That Get in
My Lunchbox?: The Story of Food, Somerville, MA.: Candlewick Pub., 2011 Grades 3rd – 5th
Laurentiis, Giada De. Naples! (Recipe for Adventure #1), Grosset & Dunlap Publishing, 2013 Grades 5th – 8th
Pilot/ Aviation Books:
Simons, Lisa M.B. The Kids’ Guide to Military Vehicles,
Mankato, MN.: Capstone Press Publishing, 2010 Grades Kindergarten – 1st
Anderson, Jameson; Whigham, Rod; Barnett, Charles. Amelia
Earhart: Legendary Aviator, Mankato, MN. Capstone Press
Publishing, 2010 Grades 3rd – 4th
6
Hamilton, John & Sue. UAVs: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Minneapolis, MN.: ABDO Publishing, 2012 Grades 6th – 8th
Veterinarian Books:
Salzmann, Mary Elizabeth. Veterinarian’s Tools, Minneapolis,
MN.: ABDO Publishing, Grades 3rd – 5th
Architecture Books:
Stern, Steven L. Building Greenscapes, New York, NY.: Bearport Publishing, 2010 Grades 3rd – 6th
Sandler, Michael Freaky Strange Buildings, New York, NY.:
Bearport Publishing, 2012 Grades 3rd – 6th
Riddle, John. Veterinarian, Broomall, PA.: Mason Crest Publishing, 2003 Grades 3rd – 8th
Stevenson, Neil. Architecture, New York, NY.: DK Publishing,
1997 Grades 6th – 8th
Thomas, William Veterinarian, Pleasantville, NY.: Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2009 Grades 6th – 8th
City Planning Books:
Leardi, Jeanette. Making Green Cities, New York, NY.: Bearport Publishing, 2010 Grades 3rd – 6th
Dentist Books:
Stockham, Jessica. Dentist, Childs Plan Intl. Publishing, 2011
Grades Pre K – 3rd
Macaulay, David. City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1983 Grades 6th – 8th
Salzmann, Mary Elizabeth. Dentist’s Tools, Minneapolis, MN.:
ABDO Publishing, 2011 Grades 3rd – 5th
Chapnick, Samantha. Around New York City with Kids, New
York, NY. Fodor’s Travel Publishing, 2011 Grades 3rd – 6th
Energy Books:
Wheeler, Jill C. Eye on Energy Series, Edina, MN.: ABDO Publishing, 2008 Grades 3rd – 6th
Computers and Gaming Books:
Petrie, Kristin. Computers, Edina, MN.: ABDO Publishing,
2009 Grades 3rd – 5th
Orme, Helen, Energy for the Future, New York, NY.: Bearport
Publishing, 2009 Grades 3rd – 5th
Ray, Michael. Gaming: From Atari to Xbox, New York, NY.:
Britannica Publishing, 2012 Grades 6th – 12th
Society of Petroleum Engineers. Oil and Natural Gas, DK Publishing, Inc., 2007 Grades 6th – 8th
Wilkinson, Colin. Gaming: Playing Safe and Playing Smart,
New York, NY.: Rosen Central Publishing, Grades 6th – 12th
Marcovitz, Hal. Energy Security, Edina, MN.: ABDO Publishing, 2011 Grades 6th– 8th
7
S TANDARDS ALIGNMENT
The following alignments link
the Earthquake Science activity
to the Next Generation Science
Standards.
For more information, click each
section.
Disciplinary Core Ideas: Middle School Physical
Science
Grades MS: Matter and Its Interactions
MS-PS1-3 Gather and make sense of information to describe that
synthetic materials come from natural resources and impact society.
Disciplinary Core Ideas: K-5 Physical Science
Disciplinary Core Ideas: Middle School Engineering
Design
2-PS1-2 Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to
determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an
intended purpose.
Grades MS: Engineering
Grades K-5: Matter and Its Interactions
5-PS1-3 Make observations and measurements to identify materials
based on their properties.
Disciplinary Core Ideas: K-5. Engineering Design
Grades K-5: Engineering
K-2-ETS1-1 Ask questions, make observations, and gather information
about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that
can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or
tool.
MS-ETS1-1 Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem
with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into
account relevant scientific principles and potential impact on people
and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
MS-ETS1-3 Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and
differences among several design solutions to identify the best
characteristics of each combined into a new solution to better meet
the criteria for success.
K-2-ETS-1 Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to
illustrate how the shape of an object helps it functions as needed to solve
a give problem.
K-2-ETS1-3 Analyze data from test of two objects designed to solve the
same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each
perform.
3-5-ETS1-2 Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a
problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and
constraints of the problem.
3-5-ETS1-3 Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are
controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a
model or prototype that can be improved.
8
Career Connect
Career Connect Video: Major Cathy Hayes
This activity explores the world of earth science, natural disasters and earthquakes.
Many earthquakes cause serious public safety issues such as
fires. As a firefighter, Major Cathy Hayes works to make the
people of Oklahoma City safer from many natural and manmade disasters.
Major Cathy Hayes
Oklahoma City Fire Department
STEM, women in science
Cathy Hayes is a Major in the Oklahoma City Fire Department. In this leadership role, she manages the projects and people that keep us all safe.
Thank you!
STEM on a Shoestring was developed through the generous
support of the Kirkpatrick Foundation.
It is a project of the Oklahoma Afterschool Network.
2801 N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 224
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
www.okafterschool.org
www.OKSTEM.com
405.601.9560