This engineering challenge shifts students from observing geological processes to applying physics and design principles to mitigate natural hazards.

Activity Description

The Earthquake-Proof Structures Challenge is a hands-on STEM activity where students apply the concepts of seismic waves and magnitude to structural engineering. By building towers out of lightweight materials like straws and craft sticks, students explore how geometric shapes—particularly triangles and cross-bracing—distribute lateral forces. The "Shake Table" test provides immediate feedback, showing students how energy moves from the epicenter through a building's foundation and up to its highest point. This lab emphasizes the iterative design process: building, testing to failure, and improving the design based on scientific evidence.

� � Engineering Design Challenge: Earthquake-Proof Structures � � Target: I can design, build, and test a model structure that can withstand simulated earthquake shaking and explain key earthquake vocabulary. � � Background / Introduction Earthquakes occur when energy is suddenly released underground, causing the ground to shake. This energy travels through the Earth as seismic waves, which can shake buildings and cause damage. The epicenter is the point on the surface directly above the earthquake, and the strength of the earthquake is measured by magnitude. Most earthquakes happen along faults and plate boundaries, where sections of the Earth's crust move past each other. Engineers must design buildings that survive these forces without collapsing. Real earthquake-resistant buildings use strong foundations, flexible materials, and balanced shapes to absorb or redirect seismic energy. In this challenge, you’ll become part of a team of structural engineers—designing and testing a miniature building to see how well it survives shaking during earthquakes! � � Challenge Design and build a structure that: ● Stands at least 30 cm tall ● Can hold a small weight at the top (like a coin or eraser) ● Survives shaking on the quake table for at least 30 seconds � � Materials: Tape, rubber bands, modeling clay, craft sticks, toothpicks, straws, cardboard, string Structures will be taped to cardboard bases and clipped onto the shake table for testing. � � Day 1 – Plan & Build 1⃣ Define the Problem What makes buildings fall during earthquakes? What shapes or supports might prevent collapse? 2⃣ Brainstorm Sketch two design ideas and label features that may improve stability (triangles, cross-bracing, wide base, etc.). ✏ Sketch Space: 3⃣ Build Your Structure ● Use your materials to construct your design on a cardboard base. � � Day 2 – Test & Improve ● Clip your cardboard base to the earthquake shake table. ● Shake gently at first, then increase intensity for up to 1 minute or until collapse. ● Use what you learn to improve your structure. Record results: � � Earthquake Structure Engineering Reflection Answer in complete sentences: 1. What design features helped your structure survive/caused it to fail? 2. Which materials were most effective for stability? 3. If you could add more materials, what would you change?