Learners discover how engineers construct buildings to stand up against earthquakes. They build their own structures out of marshmallows and toothpicks. They test how earthquake-proof their building is with jello.

Students examine three seismograms of a recent South American earthquake recorded by USGS stations. They measure the S-P distance and use a P and S wave travel-time graph to find the epicenter distance for each seismogram. In addition,...

Learners attempt to design and build the most stable "earthquke resistant" structure. They create model buildings and test them on a shake table to see which design holds up the best.

Students work together to discuss seismic waves. Using seismograph records, they practice determining where the epicenter of the earthquake was located. They identify and illustrate the three types of waves and how the records can be...

Students review characteristics of an earthquake. They explore information about earthquakes to determine the effects of an earthquake. They compare the earthquakes of 1906 and 1989.

In this earthquake crossword puzzle, students complete a crossword using 13 clues about earthquake facts and plate tectonics.

Students, in committees, develop and propose solutions to rebuild various elements of Colombia's infrastructure in the wake of the January 25, 1999 earthquake, as well as compare and contrast the earthquake's affects on Colombia to an...

Young scholars discuss convection currents in the Earth's mantle, how they form, and how they move as well as the causes of earthquakes. Working in a group, they analyze a color coded World Earthquake Map and try to determine which...

Sixth graders explore the causes and effects of earthquakes. They also collect and analyze data in graphs. They also use the Internet to research earthquakes

Students read a fiction and nonfiction accounts about different types of disasters. The class uses iChat AV and iSight camera to interview students in a different part of the country about natural or manmade disasters in their area....

Students research statistics about the last five large earthquakes. They compare data in small groups and present their information orally to the class. They also attempt to predict the next large earthquake.

Students are employees of a unit of the United Nations, they are responsible for coordinating disaster relief after a major disaster (the 2004 Asian Earthquake and Tsunami) occurs. The agency needs to understand the situation in each...

How does the depth of an ocean affect the speed of a tsunami's waves? Use Jell-o, graham crackers, and marshmallows to model the effects of an underwater earthquake and its resulting tsunami. The lesson includes hands-on activities,...

Students become familiar with map coordinates. They establish the frequency of earthquake occurrences and study the location and magnitude of earthquakes. To establish the location of plate boundaries.

Students experiment with the concept of earthquakes while completing a lab with marshmallows, toothpicks, modeling clay and firm Jell-O and rectangular pan. They explore what kind of soil earthquakes do the most damage in and how...

Learners build an earthquake shake table. They design and build the table and test their completed structures using sandbags.

Students make an earthquake simulator and test their structure to see if it lasts through the earthquake. In this earthquake lesson plan, students make a structure and test and record the results from an earthquake simulator made out of...

Students use a zipcode map to locate earthquake experiences based on the Modified Mercalli Scale. They discuss the difference of the magnitude of an earthquake compared to the intensity of the shaking it causes.

Eighth graders visit the Virtual Earthquake Web site and complete activities that demonstrate how geologists locate the epicenters of earthquakes. The site uses actual data from historic earthquakes.

Students explore how earthquakes cause structures to move and how the substrate beneath them may actually cause them to fail. They create mock buildings and place them in level tubs of various substrates. They then put each through a...

Students investigate the earth's structural layers by participating in hands-on activities. They identify the earth's structure and investigate earthquakes.

Students explore the layers of the Earth and the dynamic changes that they cause on Earth's surface. Volcanoes and earthquakes become the focus of the lesson as the Oregon State quarter and its Crater Lake images are linked to the topic.

Students study the Haitian crisis and learn about the needs and ways to help the situation. In this Haitian crisis lesson, students study the Maslow's "Needs Pyramid". Students study the media coverage of the earthquake and then answer...

High schoolers comprehend what has been explored in the previous earthquake engineering design lessons, by putting their designs to the test. They are given pairs a piece of paper, and an empty plastic bottle or can. Students stand the...