Year 4's Earthquake Proof Buildings

Explosions, eruptions, enormous waves and Mother Nature’s earthly chaos has been the focus for Year 4 this term.  We have made volcanoes explode, wrote reports and articles, watched documentaries, and really enjoyed learning about our planet. 

Our most recent project was to design and build an earthquake proof building using dry spaghetti and marshmallows.  It was quite a challenge, but the Year 4 students were up to the task.  First we went to the IT room, and with our groups researched how to design and construct an earthquake proof building.  Keaghan said, “The best design we found that looked like it would hold the best was two cubes stacked on top with cross braces.”  Students searched the internet for ideas and drew their designs. 

Next lesson, students were given materials and had time to play and explore how their designs and materials would work together.  Khiana said, “First we tried to build a pyramid inside a cube for extra strength and support, but it wasn’t so strong.  We still knew the cube was a good idea so we went back to the drawing board.” Two groups successfully built cubes with cross braces for extra strength.  We really needed this practice and play time to test and experiment. 

On Friday after break, we got straight to work.  We knew what hadn’t worked the day before and we knew how we were going to build today.  Garbi explained, “We first made a cube and then Freya had an idea to build a larger cube with crosses, and then we kept building the base so it was large and strong.”  Each group took 40 minutes and produced unique, differently designed and constructed buildings.  The favoured construction was the cube with cross braces. 

Then it was time to test.  We all gathered around a tray of jelly, which would be our base.  Daniel and Esta were first to test their building. Esta put the building onto the jelly and Mr. Anthony, our new Deputy Principal, began to shake the tray of jelly to simulate an earthquake.  After 40 seconds their building came crashing down! 

With great excitement, each group continued to test their buildings.  We had great success, most of our buildings were not destroyed, but some did fall over.  Ms. Faith caught the whole process, from research to buildings collapse, with photos and videos.  Parents, be sure to drop by the classroom with a USB to get the video of the project!

       

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