Earthquake-Resilient City Design
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a model city that effectively withstands earthquakes by understanding and applying the principles of tectonic movements, structural engineering, and technology?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What factors make a city vulnerable to earthquakes?
- How do tectonic plates cause earthquakes?
- What are the key elements necessary for designing structures that can withstand earthquakes?
- How can technology be used to predict and mitigate the effects of earthquakes?
- What role does the Earth's structure play in the occurrence and impact of earthquakes?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand and explain how tectonic plate movements cause earthquakes and form geological features.
- Identify and analyze key factors that make a city vulnerable to earthquakes.
- Apply principles of structural engineering to design buildings that can withstand earthquakes.
- Utilize technology to predict and mitigate the effects of earthquakes.
- Integrate scientific principles to develop innovative design solutions for urban planning in earthquake-prone areas.
Ohio Science Standards for 8th grade
Next Generation Science Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsShake Your World!
An immersive experience where students enter a 'shaking' room emulating an earthquake's impact on a cityscape model. Students will witness different building reactions, sparking questions about structural integrity and engineering solutions.Virtual Reality Earthquake Simulation
Using VR goggles, students experience an earthquake virtually, observing structural failures and successes in real-time. This stimulates curiosity about building designs that can withstand natural disasters.Design Challenge Kick-off
Students receive a surprise kit of materials and a challenge: build a tower that can survive a table shake. This task stimulates creative thinking about materials and designs before exploring real-world applications in city planning.Meet the Engineers
A panel of civil engineers shares real-life experiences designing earthquake-proof structures. Students get to ask questions and explore pathways to innovation in building technology.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Seismic Foundations Exploration
Students investigate earthquake causes by exploring tectonic plate movements. They will understand the dynamics and how these movements result in earthquakes, forming the geological foundation for designing earthquake-resistant structures.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed diagram and written explanation of tectonic plate movements and how they cause earthquakes.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with OY.8.ESS.2 which focuses on the understanding of tectonic plates and their role in earthquake formation.Seismic Vulnerability Assessment
Students evaluate and identify factors contributing to a city's seismic vulnerability. This includes examining geographical location, building materials, and existing engineering solutions.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive report outlining the vulnerabilities of a city to earthquakes, highlighting the most critical factors.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets NGSS.MS-ETS1-1 by analyzing criteria and constraints related to earthquake-prone area planning.Design Blueprint Innovation
Students brainstorm and draft blueprints for buildings incorporating principles of earthquake-resistant architecture. They will integrate innovative ideas with scientific engineering basics to create structures mitigating seismic effects.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn annotated blueprint of an earthquake-resistant building, incorporating engineering principles.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports NGSS.MS-ETS1-1, encouraging precision in defining design criteria and constraints.Earthquake City Model Testing
Students construct a small-scale model city incorporating their design solutions, then simulate an earthquake to observe performance. This iterative process allows modification and optimization of designs based on testing.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA refined model city designed to withstand earthquakes, backed by testing data and iterative improvements.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCorresponds to NGSS.MS-ETS1-3 by requiring analysis of test results to optimize design solutions.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioEarthquake-Proof City Design Rubric
Understanding Tectonic Movements
Evaluates students' grasp of how tectonic plate movements cause earthquakes and form geological features.Tectonic Plate Diagram
Assesses the detail and accuracy of the diagram showing tectonic plate movements and their interactions.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe diagram is highly detailed, accurately illustrates tectonic plate movements, and clearly shows divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries with annotations.
Proficient
3 PointsThe diagram accurately illustrates tectonic plate movements and includes divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries.
Developing
2 PointsThe diagram shows basic tectonic plate movements but lacks detail or contains minor inaccuracies.
Beginning
1 PointsThe diagram is unclear and contains significant errors or omissions in illustrating tectonic plate movements.
Explanation of Earthquake Formation
Evaluates the clarity and depth of the written explanation regarding how tectonic movements lead to earthquakes.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive explanation with insightful connections between tectonic movements and earthquake formation.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear explanation with accurate connections between tectonic movements and earthquake formation.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic explanation with some accurate connections between tectonic movements and earthquake formation.
Beginning
1 PointsOffers a vague or inaccurate explanation with few connections to tectonic movements.
Seismic Vulnerability Analysis
Focuses on students' ability to identify and assess the factors that make regions vulnerable to earthquakes.City Vulnerability Report
Measures the thoroughness and accuracy of the analysis regarding a city's seismic vulnerabilities.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe report is thorough, well-researched, and provides in-depth analysis, including innovative solutions for reducing vulnerability.
Proficient
3 PointsThe report is well-researched and clearly analyzes vulnerabilities with feasible solutions proposed.
Developing
2 PointsThe report contains basic analysis but is lacking depth or innovative solutions.
Beginning
1 PointsThe report is incomplete or lacks clear analysis of vulnerabilities and solutions.
Engineering Design Application
Assesses students’ use of engineering principles to design structures capable of withstanding earthquakes.Annotated Blueprint
Evaluates the creativity, accuracy, and scientific basis of the annotated blueprint for earthquake-resistant buildings.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe blueprint is highly creative, accurately annotated with justified engineering choices, and integrates advanced design strategies effectively.
Proficient
3 PointsThe blueprint is accurate, well-annotated, and incorporates effective engineering strategies.
Developing
2 PointsThe blueprint shows basic annotations and includes some engineering strategies, but lacks precision or creativity.
Beginning
1 PointsThe blueprint is incomplete or inaccurately annotated with limited integration of engineering strategies.
Model City Testing and Refinement
Evaluates the iterative testing process and refinement of the model city to withstand earthquakes.Iteration and Testing Results
Assesses how well students document, analyze, and improve their model based on testing results.
Exemplary
4 PointsDocumentation is thorough, with exceptional analysis of test results and innovative refinements leading to improved model performance.
Proficient
3 PointsDocumentation is clear, with effective analysis of test results and thoughtful refinements improving model performance.
Developing
2 PointsDocumentation is basic, with limited analysis but some meaningful refinements made to the model.
Beginning
1 PointsDocumentation is incomplete, with insufficient analysis or refinement of the model based on test results.