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Earthquake Resistant Structure Project

(Formative /Summative Assessment)

Part I Directions: What is an Earthquake Resistant Structure? (20 points formative)

1. Before you read or research, explain what you think an earthquake resistant structure is and how it might be constructed:

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2. Read the laminated background information card.

3. Is it possible to construct an earthquake resistant structure? You will briefly research this question.

  • Find three sources that answer this question.
  • Submit a Google doc to the teacher that cites the sources, gives explanations, and pictures of at least three examples of earthquake resistant structures.
  • Make sure all group member names are on the Google Doc submitted.

4. Why are earthquake resistant structures necessary? ______

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5. Notify the teacher that this part is complete and that you have submitted your Google Doc from question #3.

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Part II Directions: Design an Earthquake Resistant Structure(20 points formative)

1. You will be given a budget and shown available supplies to design your own earthquake resistant structure. Ask the teacher for the budget sheet, and answer the questions that follow:

2. What is your budget? ______

3. Examine the supply board. Notice that you can purchase and rent building supplies and tools. When writing your budget, keep in mind that rental items have DAILY costs. You should examine all of the supplies to see what is available before you design a blueprint of your structure. Refer to the Farkas and Murphy Depot supply list for prices as you plan. Your model must be moveable; the tallest, strongest, and least expensive structures will win prizes.

4. Create a rough sketch of your structure (blueprint):

5. Show the teacher your sketch. Once approved, fill out your budget sheet. Remember that you have a budget and cannot go over that amount.

6. When your budget is complete, show it to the teacher to be checked. Be sure to have a calculated total.

7. Once your budget is checked, you can ask the teacher for supplies.

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Part III Directions: Build an Earthquake Resistant Structure(10 points formative)

1. You will spend two class days building your earthquake resistant structure. The tallest, strongest, and least expensive structures will win prizes. Your structures will be tested for strength with a table top earthquake generator.

2. You may not return or exchange any supplies to the Farkas/Murphy Depot; you may exchange supplies with other builders.

3. On the lines below, you will follow up the building phase with a short essay. This is an individual task; each group member will write an essay that includes the following:

  • Why you chose the materials you did.
  • Describe any obstacles you faced while building and how you overcame them.
  • Explains how your structure is intended to be earthquake resistant.
  • Refer to one piece of textual evidence from your research in Part I that will support your reasoning.
  • Identify a region on Earth that would benefit from earthquake resistant building designs. Explain why that region would benefit from such structures.

Your summary will be graded using the rubric below:

Ideas and Content (7 points) / Conventions (3 points)
  • All science questions are answered fully and correctly
  • Science vocabulary is used correctly
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  • Spelling
  • Punctuation
  • Grammar fluency

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Part IV Directions: Test the Earthquake Resistant Structures (30 points summative)

1. Your structure will be tested with a tabletop earthquake simulator, so your structure must be moveable. That means that you must be able to carry it from one table to another without it collapsing.

2. There is expected damage; earthquake resistant buildings are not indestructible, but are intended to withstand more damage than normal.

3. Prizes will be awarded to the tallest, least expensive, and least damaged structures. Height and cost will tiebreak equal damage.You will not lose points if your structure is damaged or destroyed on the simulator. Your structure will be graded using the rubric below:

Structure Grading Rubric

Objective / Points Possible / Student Checklist / Actual Points Earned
Supply budget not exceeded / 5
Structure is moveable / 5
Time was used wisely / 5

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4. On the lines below, explain what happened to your structure. This will be a summary of what happened to your structure while it was on the earthquake simulator:

  • Did it hold up?
  • How severe was the damage?
  • Do you think you know why it was or was not damaged?
  • Do you know what you would change if you were to build your structure again?

Your summary will be graded using the rubric below:

Ideas and Content (12 points) / Conventions (3 points)
  • All three science questions are answered fully and correctly
  • Science vocabulary is used correctly
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  • Spelling
  • Punctuation
  • Grammar fluency

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