Are We On Solid Ground?

Subject:    Earthquakes

Grade Level:    High School (Earth Science, Physical Science and Physics)

Abstract:

This project provides students opportunities to collect and analyze earthquake data to determine guidelines for earthquake safety and preparedness.  Students will collaborate with researchers to determine what role (if any) can they, the students, have towards earthquake prediction.  Students will determine whether their communities are prepared for the aftermath of a large earthquake and determine how a community prepares for such an event. Students will use appropriate technology to obtain the data and will produce an informational pamphlet and/or web page for the community.

Learner Description/Environment:

Branchville High School is located in Branchville, SC.  It is part of Orangeburg Consolidated School District # 4 in Orangeburg, SC.  the school is rural and the racial make-up of the student body is approximately 52% black and 48 % white.  Approximately 60% of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch.  The classes will be Earth Science (grade 8), Physical Science (grade 9) and Physics (grade 12).  The science lab has six Internet connected computers.  Students will also have access to a computer lab and computers in their study halls.  A recent informal survey shows that approximately one-half of the students have Internet access at home.

Time Frame:

4 weeks; 3 hours per week

Learner Outcomes:    (Taken directly form the SC Science Standards)

• Students will analyze the pros and cons of living in areas affected by natural hazards such as earthquakes.
• Students will be able to predict changes in the Earth's surface based on past and current geologic events (e.g., earthquakes).
• Students will be able to analyze, interpret and explain that waves, including sound and seismic waves, have energy and can transfer energy when they interact with matter.
• Students will analyze how science and technology explain and predict relationships.
• Students will demonstrate scientific and technological inquiry.
• Students will formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence.
• Students will use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications.

Structure of the Learning:

Content:

The activity will foster an understanding of how  science, math and social studies concepts can be applied to reduce earthquake hazards and risk in the built environment through seismic safety design, construction, land-use, and emergency
management techniques. Students will work with experts from USC and elsewhere, as well as high school classes that are part of the S.C. Earthquake Physics Project (SCEPP), survivors of earthquakes, etc. to determine guidelines for earthquake safety and preparedness. Students will use data from their seismograph and others
stationed around the world to discuss seismic activity in the different areas - normal, before, and after earthquakes.  Students will further their study by collaborating with
researchers to determine what role (if any) can they the student have towards the science of earthquake prediction.  Based upon responses from experts, students will develop appropriate methods of inquiry that will provide needed scientific data.
Students will determine whether their communities are prepared for the aftermath of a large earthquake and determine how a community prepares for such an event.

In preparation for Earthquake Awareness Week - April 9-15, students
will see a presentation by an earthquake survivor that includes stories of the destruction and aftermath, as well as views of earthquake destruction from web pages. The discussion will include the Charleston earthquake of the 1800's (and the likelihood of
another soon) as well as personal experiences of the students (relatives or friends who lived through earthquakes).  This would lead into how students will be part of the SCEPP (South Carolina Earth Physics Project) - whereby they have a working seismograph in their school. Students are asked for help in preventing another
disaster of great proportions - both human and materialistic.
 

Process:

• Students will brainstorm a list of questions to ask survivors of  an earthquake and hold an e-mail interview or chat.
• Students will choose where to gather their information from - which experts to contact (i.e. FEMA), location of survivors, etc.
• Students will develop a preparedness guide using information they choose to use.  (i.e. - information gained from interviews and looking over building codes and other preventative procedures taken by government/people/organizations).
• Students will communicate with earthquake experts to determine what role (if any) can they the student have towards the science of earthquake prediction.
• Students will look at international data on seismic activity to predict where there may be a need for information relating to keeping safe in an earthquake (predicting where they think the next earthquake will occur).
• Students will group themselves according to the medium chosen for  the preparedness guide. For example, students wishing to learn web design will develop a web page; those interested in print media will design a pamphlet; while those interested in live video will develop a public awareness segment.

Product:

Students will produce a pamphlet, web page, and live video for public awareness. The importance of this project is that the students will have a greater sense of the devastation that earthquakes can cause, as well as being much more prepared for an emergency such as an earthquake.  The students will have determined if their community is prepared and will have helped the community become much more aware and prepared for an earthquake.

Best Use of Technology:

• Students will use e-mail to correspond with experts and other schools participating in the S.C. Earthquake Physics Project.
• Students will collect, analyze and use data from their school's seismograph.
• Students will use the Internet for research of earthquakes, history of earthquakes, etc.
• Student will use the Internet to locate present-day survivors and experts that the students can then communicate with via email/chat technology.
• Students will observe how the collection of real time data is used by scientists to develop simulations that will eventually enable scientists to reliably predict earthquakes.
• Students will use the computer to create an informational earthquake pamphlet and/or Web page.

Assessment:

There will be a pre and post assessment of the content knowledge of the students. The teacher will use a rubric created by the students to assess the effectiveness of the groups.  Each group will share knowledge obtained on a weekly basis to the other groups in the class.  Each group will be given the opportunity to ask questions to the group on the knowledge obtained.  These weekly sessions will give the teacher an opportunity to determine where assistance is needed by the students.  A rubric will be created by the teacher for each of the community awareness projects created by the group.

Project Evaluation:

The project will be evaluated by the mastery of the content as well as the quality of the products that the students produce.  Linc On-Line Administrators will meet with the teacher involved in the project to discuss the progress.  The teacher and class involved in the project will share what is working well and what items may need adjustments.  This project will be offered several times and needed adjustments will be made.

Alignment with Standards:

Created for the Fermilab LInC program sponsored by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Education Office and Friends of Fermilab, and funded by United States Department of Energy, Illinois State Board of Education, North Central Regional Technology in Education Consortium which is operated by North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL), and the National Science Foundation.

Author(s): Starr Bright, Theresa Owens, Lu Anne Smith
School: Branchville High School, Orangeburg, SC
Created: February 25, 2001 Updated: March 14, 2001
URL: /lincon/w01/projects/earthquakes/present.html