Unit map for Engineering Earthquake-Resistant Buildings: Shake Things Up.
EiE
Engineering Earthquake-Resistant Buildings G3-5
Upper Elementary
Earth and Human Activity
Earth’s Systems
Camps/STEM Classes
Kids engineer model buildings that can better withstand the force of an earthquake.
Unit Overview
In Engineering Earthquake-Resistant Buildings: Shake Things Up kids engineer earthquake-resistant model buildings and establish building codes for earthquake zones.
- 9 activities
- 45 minutes per activity
Standards Alignment
EiE is a collection of in-school and out-of-school units and includes programs Engineering is Elementary (K-5), Engineering Adventures (3-5), and Engineering Everywhere (6-8).
Unit Resources
Digital Resources (FREE)
YES provides these materials free of charge! Use the link below to download resources from our Google Drive.
Download ResourcesPurchase Materials
Educator Guide Pack -
$69
- Full-color print educator guide, plus multiple sets of heavy-duty reusable color-print resources (ex. vocabulary cards, materials glossaries, station signs, and student instructions) for the class.
Materials Kit -
$399
- Hands-on materials to support 24 learners.
Unit Map
Kids engineer a tower and are introduced to the Engineering Design Process as a problem-solving tool.
Kids explore the idea that they, as engineers, can design and improve technology.
Kids are introduced to the problem: how can we stop buildings from being damaged during an earthquake?
Kids explore how earthquakes impact buildings of different heights and shapes.
Kids engineer ways to stop their buildings from sliding off of the shake table.
Kids engineer ways to stop their buildings from changing shape during a test on the shake table.
Groups plan, create, and test their buildings on the shake table.
Groups improve their initial designs, test them, and finalize their building codes.
Groups present their building codes and knowledge of the Engineering Design Process in an Engineering Showcase.