Earthquake Lesson

I decided to use my groups STEM problem to teach my students about earthquakes. We did this in two groups so that my students could work together and use team building skills in this lesson. My students really enjoyed this lesson and were engaged and asking higher-order questions during the lesson. They were debating each other and using great social skills in the lesson. (this is very important in 1st grade!)

Lesson Plan:

• Begin by telling students that their challenge is to create a building/structure using toothpicks/straws and marshmallows/twizzlers/string that they thought would be strong enough to survive an earthquake, just like real architects have to do.

• Next, it is time to put them to the test.

• Have students present their structure and show the class.
• Using aluminum trays filled with jello have students start to shake things up. Each group get a tray of jello. In pairs, they put their structures on the jello then shake it out for 10-15 seconds.Give students time to discuss what worked and what didn’t work.
• Some structures survive, others don't. The students learn the importance of building a strong base and how having one can help keep people and whole cities safer during an earthquake
• Extension: Allow students to fix their structure and try again!