Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
Earthquake Building/Shaking Contest Lesson PlanEarthquake Building/Shaking Contest Lesson Plan
Publisher
Science Matters
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
6th
Subjects
Science
2 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
3 days
Instructional Strategies
Collaborative Learning
4 more...
Technology
Scientific Equipment
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Lesson Plan

Earthquake Building/Shaking Contest

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Earthquake Building/Shaking Contest lesson plan also includes:
  • Introduction and Conceptual Flow Narrative
  • Grade Six Planning Guide
  • Conceptual Flow Graphic
  • Activity
  • Worksheet
  • Lab & Experiment
  • Join to access all included materials

Japan is one of only a handful of countries that constructs buildings that are almost earthquake proof. The 13th lesson in the 20-part series challenges scholars to build structures to test against earthquakes. With limited materials and a time limit, pupils create three-story, 30-cm tall structures with open floor plans to place on a shake table. 

60 Views 49 Downloads
CCSS: Adaptable

Concepts

earthquakes, civil engineering, engineering design

Additional Tags

science

Instructional Ideas

  • As an extension, take the best ideas and use Keva Planks to build a structure to test (Keva Planks all have the same dimensions and weighting, which makes them better for stable building than other brands)

Classroom Considerations

  • Requires a shake table on which to test structures
  • Be aware of any allergies when handling foods

Pros

  • Follows a 5E lesson format
  • Activity easily adapts to higher or lower ability levels

Cons

  • Video links do not work

Common Core

RST.6-8.3 RST.6-8.4

See similar resources:

Lesson Plan

Building for the Big One

Curated OER
Students build and test structures that can best withstand earthquakes. They create their structures from playdough, cornstarch, grape-nuts and popsicle sticks and place their structures on a "shake table."
4th - 8th Science
Activity

Build an Earthquake-Resistant Structure

DiscoverE
Future engineers design and build structures out of toothpicks and marshmallows. They then make sure the structures can withstand an earthquake simulator!
3rd - 8th Science
Lesson Plan

Shake it up with Seismographs!

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Shake things up in your STEM or earth science classroom when you have small groups construct their own seismographs. A reading assignment on the history of seismographs, the Richter scale, and current technology sets the stage for the...
3rd - 12th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Unit Plan

NASA Engineering Design Challenges - Spacecraft Structures

NASA
What kind of design challenges are there in building structures to support rocket engines? The unit takes design teams through the process of building the lightest possible thrust support structure that can withstand the necessary forces...
6th - 9th Science
Activity

Design a Dome

DiscoverE
Do domed structures have advantages over their less-than-spherical counterparts? Junior architects explore the pros and cons of domes through a design challenge. Teams work together to plan, sketch, build, and test domes created from an...
6th - 12th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

Seismic Shake-Up!

DiscoverE
Shake your earthquake-resistant building prototype! Groups create structures using coffee stirrers and clay that can withstand seismic waves. They then test their structures against their own earthquakes.
K - 12th Science
Lesson Plan

Tech Museum: Building for the Big One [Pdf]

Other
This resource presents a project where students design and build structures that can withstand an earthquake. The project can include an extension where students look at the factors of soil type and proximity to fault in their design....
4th - 8th STEM
Activity

Earthquakes Living Lab: Designing for Disaster

Teach Engineering
Build and design to rock and roll. Pairs research building design in earthquake areas and use computer simulations to see the effects of earthquakes on buildings,. They then sketch and explain a building design that would withstand...
6th - 8th Science
Activity

Build a Satellite

NASA
Shake, rattle, and explore space with satellites. Engineers learn how satellites work before designing, building, and testing their own models. Groups engage in quality assurance reviews with colleagues to improve their designs, and the...
5th - 8th Science
PPT

San Jose State University: Buildings in Earthquakes [Ppt]

San Jose State University
Explains the physics of building movement during an earthquake through a discussion of force, mass, acceleration, frequency, and period. Then looks at the factors that affect a building's resilience versus the damage it could sustain.
4th - 8th STEM
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use