Earthquakes

can be one of the most devastating natural disasters that not only impacts
innocent people, but the whole world. It destroys buildings, homes, roads and many other
things. Earthquakes often take communities by surprise, meaning no preparation can be
done before to prepare for them. It is important to protect these communities through
building durable and strong houses and buildings. Your job is to design two office buildings
out of two different materials to see which material is durable from an earthquake.

With a partner, you will be creating two office buildings.
Your office buildings must be:
• 10cm tall
• 5cm wide
• Stay intact throughout the shaking.
Materials you must use:
• Wooden Blocks
• Lego Blocks
You will make two designs of each building in your science journal.
You will have:
- 1 lesson to design and build your office buildings and fill out the first part of your
science journal
- 1 lesson to test your buildings and fill out your science journal
- 1 lesson to finish testing (if need) and reflect in your science journal
Once you have built your two buildings, you will test them by one person shaking a desk
with the building on it mildly, moderately and severely for 10 seconds. You will do three
tests of each strength of earthquake and record your observations of the office buildings
afterwards. You must repair and fix your building each time to start the testing again.
You will be assessed on:
- Your answers in your science journal
- How well your buildings survive the earthquake
You will present your designs around the classroom on posters from the pictures you take of
them!
Reminder:
• Your aim is to keep you building together through the earthquakes and to have no
damage.
• Reflect on what happened
• Be creative with your ideas!
Good Luck!