Sixth Grade Earthquake Experiments

Buildings

• Use a card table that is easily bumped or moved or place a large board over a regular table on which to build. Build structures of cardboard, wooden blocks, interconnecting blocks and other materials. Build tall narrow buildings and low horizontal buildings. Test what structures can withstand the shaking and movement of the foundations under the buildings. Chart not only height and width of buildings, but also the force required to topple them. From the experiments, show what materials and design works best in an area with frequent earthquakes. Take basic structures and fortify the areas that collapsed first. Chart the changes of strength.
  
  

Foundations

• Collect dirt, sand, gravel, shredded paper, Styrofoam and other substances students can use as foundational material on which to build buildings. Build similar structures on each of the foundations. Simulate an earthquake by shaking the table on which the experiment has been created. Have students chart which foundations best absorbs the earthquake shocks and which foundations best protect the structures built on them. Do the experiments using substances such as jello, yogurt, pudding, layered bread or potato slices and chips. Build with cookies, cake and bread slices using frosting and toothpicks. Have students show what properties of the different food foundations worked best for preserving the structures built on them. Ask them how these properties might work in real-life situations.
  
  

Bridges

• Divide students into groups and ask them to build bridges. Place slips of paper in a hat or bowl with the different types of bridges on them -- beam, arch, suspension and cantilever. The groups draw out a slip and build the type of bridge listed on their slips of paper. They can build with wooden blocks, interconnecting blocks, nails and wood, metal or even cardboard. The idea is to build a bridge that will withstand an earthquake. Set a size limit to fit on the table surface that you shake. Chart how well the different bridges stand up to the earthquake the students provide by shaking the table and how much force it takes to destroy the bridges. Have each group build four bridges -- one of each type. Assign each group a different material with which to build. Have students chart which bridges and material best handle the earthquake forces.
  
  

Safest Places

• Divide the students into groups. Have each group show different ways to protect themselves during an earthquake. Groups might show what happens if a person stands near windows or wall hangings and pictures. Another group might focus on what happens to those who are outside when buildings collapse. A group might focus on the best place to stay in a building or room. A group might focus on what to do if in a car. Students can show the results of their experiments using models of cardboard, clay and plastic with poster, slide shows or video presentations.