Project-Based Learning

Experiment

GRADE 3

Purpose: To create a tsunami and lessen its effects

Background: You can make a small model of a shore
area. Then apply the force of a tsunami wave.
Experiment to see what might help to reduce the effects.
Process:
1. F latten the cereal box. This will be used to create
waves for the tsunami later.

Materials
1 empty cereal box
clear plastic container
(about 13" x 9" x 2")
several cups of dirt
water

2. M ix the dirt and water in the bowl or bucket to form

thick mud.
3. Crumple pieces of newspaper to fill half of the length
of the plastic container.
4. Add mud in a thick layer on top of the newspaper.
Mold the mud by pressing it on the newspaper to
form a slope from the top of the bin to the middle
of the bin (about 67 inches or halfway across).
5. Put your buildings on the slope. Place two or three
trees on the slope, too.

mixing bowl or small

bucket

Technology vs. Mother Nature 1

How a Tsunami Happens

newspaper
12 or more plastic trees
(several inches tall)
4 cardboard buildings
several dozen small
stones
cup or pitcher

6. Pour water in the bottom half of the bin (from slope to bottom of bin).
Fill until the section has about 2 inches of water.
cardboard
buildings

crumpled newspaper

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mud

water

plastic
container

trees

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Project-Based Learning
Experiment (continued)

7. Take the flattened cereal box that you set aside earlier. Quickly push it through
the water from the end of the plastic container toward your slope. Use plenty
of force to create large waves.
8. D escribe what happens to your slope, buildings, and trees.

9. Repair your slope to be like it was before. You can leave the water
in the container.

Technology vs. Mother Nature 2

GRADE 3

1 0. Put your buildings back on the slope.

11. Put all of your trees where the mud meets the water.
1 2. Put the stones between and in front of the trees.
1 3. Add more water as needed.
1 4. Use the cereal box to create another wave. Repeat the action in #7 above.
1 5. Describe what happens to your slope, buildings, and trees.

Results:
Describe the different results from the two sets of waves of your experiment.

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Project-Based Learning
GRADE 3

Conclusion: Based on this experiment, what advice would you give to people who
live in tsunami zones?

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Technology vs. Mother Nature 3

Experiment (continued)

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