Earthquake Buildings

4th and 5th grade students have continued their earthquake unit by learning about earthquake safe buildings. They learned about three key concepts that scientists and architects have found help create strong architecture that could also be earthquake safe. These concepts include base isolation, bracing, and reinforcement. Here is a wonderful video by Wired Science about these exact technological advancements in relation to earthquake safe buildings.

Students have spent some time using the engineering design process with their buildings. Last week they went to work constructing their ideas. This week- we will test them out on a home-made shake table. Check back for clips on their tests.