The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Earthquake Challenge

Earthquake Challenge

A 4th Grade STEM Lesson

Lindsey Mineweaser

March 2023

Notes for Teachers

• A pre-made pan of Jello is required for this lesson.
• Context: This lesson takes place in a classroom. Students will need time to create their structure and time to test and modify their design.
• Students may work in small groups of 2-4.
• An emphasis on the target product (a functioning structure).
• Creative solutions should be encouraged.
• Facilitate student reflection on why and how their structures work.

List of Materials

• pan of pre-made Jello
• toothpicks
• marshmallows

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Arizona Science Standards

Science Standards

• 4.E1U1.5 - Use models to explain seismic waves and their effect on the Earth.

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Science and Engineering Practices

• ask questions and define problems
• develop and use models
• plan and carry out investigations
• analyze and interpret data
• use mathematical and computational thinking
• construct explanations and design solutions
• engage in argument from evidence
• obtain, evaluate and communicate information

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Arizona ELA Standards

Supplementary Standards Used in This Lesson

• 4.RI.2 - Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.
• 4.SL.1 - Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Objective(s):

Today we will use models to explain seismic waves and their effect on the Earth.

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Today we will collaborate and communicate effectively with our peers to complete an engineering design challenge.

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Today students will be able to design and engineer a toothpick and marshmallow structure.

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Agenda (60 Minutes)

Time Breakdown:

Inside - 60 Minutes

• 10 Minutes - intro to lesson, read aloud, video
• 5 Minutes - students brainstorm ideas
• 30 Minutes - students form groups and create structure
• 15 Minutes - students test structures and reflect

1. Make a pan of Jello to represent the ground. Allow the students to gently shake the pan to see how the ground will shake.
2. Read the students the book and show them the video.
3. Discuss earthquakes and seismic waves and their effects on Earth.
4. Explain the challenge to the students that is shown on the slide down below labeled “Challenge”.
5. Place each student or group’s building on the pan of Jello and gently shake the pan from side to side
6. Discuss which structures withstood the earthquake and which structures did not. Talk about why certain structures may have stayed in place and why others may not have.

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Lesson Plan Steps

Read-Aloud

Video

Construct a sturdy structure out of toothpicks and marshmallows that will withstand an earthquake simulation.

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Challenge

Structure Examples

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Instructions

In a group of 2-4, engineer a structure that will withstand an earthquake simulation.

Constraints:

• The structure must stand on its own.
• The structure must be sturdy and not fall apart when in use.
• The structure must have at least two levels.

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How do we assess our work?

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• We field test our invention.
• We seek feedback.
• We iterate and repeat.

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We evaluate our final iteration’s ability to meet requirements and stay within constraints.

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Assessment

Test your structure:

• Did your structure stand alone?
• Was your structure two levels high?
• How did the earthquake affect your structure?
• Did you make any changes to your structure while testing it out?
• If you were to make another structure, what would you do the same and differently?

ELA Assessment

Summarize the effect earthquakes have on Earth.

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Explain how you made your structure and what makes your structure unique.

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Explain what you would do differently if you were to make another structure.

Differentiation

Parent volunteers or teachers can assist struggling students. If students are struggling, adults can help foster ideas by suggesting students follow the examples shown to them.

Provide a word wall with key vocabulary and images.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Students who finish making their structure early can try making two structures and testing which model was more successful. They can then attempt to explain why one worked better than the other.

Students can try making the tallest structure.