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Earthquake Shake Table

Build a shake table and test how bracing and base design help a model building survive an earthquake.

Grade 8BuildExperimentEngineeringScienceEarth ScienceStructuresEngineeringIntermediate1 to 1.7 hr7 materialsAdult supervision required

What you'll learn

  • Explain how earthquakes shake buildings
  • Compare designs under the same shaking
  • Use evidence to improve a design

Objective

Test model buildings on a shake table and use data to improve their earthquake resistance.

STEM concepts

EarthquakesSeismic wavesStructural bracingResonance and stability
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Materials and safety
Step-by-step instructions
Prediction, test sheet and results
Why does it work, challenge and project report

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