Did You Feel the Earth Move?

While the earth isn’t really alive, it is certainly dynamic. And it can be a moving experience. The following activities focus on geologic disasters: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, sinkholes, avalanches and landslides. We can’t prevent them, but we can be prepared for them.

CONNECT:

•  Learn lots of facts and have fun at from the U.S. Geological Survey: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/
• Stromboli is not a pasta dish; it’s an active volcano in the Mediterranean. Stroll through Stromboli at http://www.swisseduc.ch/stromboli/volcano/index-en.html
• Can yelling cause an avalanche? Get the facts by watching Avalanches 101: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcr1Sl-T9S0
• What’s a sinkhole, and how does it happen? Watch this video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqKuSKCO6o8

CREATE:

• Make a homemade volcano following the directions at https://www.learning4kids.net/2012/04/11/how-to-make-a-homemade-volcano/
•  Ever think of lava as cake batter? To understand some of the geological processes and the structures that form as lava flows across planetary landscapes, you can use cake batter as an analog for lava, at http://www.spacegrant.hawaii.edu/class_acts/CakeLava.html
• Use a computer to simulate an earthquake at http://qcnexplorer.org/
•  Create a model of an avalanche; to see how they work, go to https://sciencing.com/create-model-avalanche-4866747.html

CARE:

• Did you feel the earth move? The government collects information from people who felt an earthquake and creates maps that show what people experienced and the extent of damage.  Report local earthquakes at https://earthquake.usgs.gov/data/dyfi/
• Practice earthquake safety by following the tips at http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-safety-earthquake.htm
• Landslides can be disastrous. What can prevent landslides? Watch the causes and interventions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCxvbosa4fU
• You never know when a disaster might come, so be prepared by building a family disaster kit: https://www.ready.gov/kids/build-a-kit

CAREERS:

The earth can provide a solid foundation for a great career! Be a mover and shaker by pursuing careers such as a geophysicist, meteorologist, and disaster relief expert.

https://content.wisestep.com/jobs-created-by-natural-disasters-calamities/

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/become.php

http://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2005/08/careers-science-disasters

https://www.workitdaily.com/career-paths-disaster-management/

https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/disaster-management-specialist

Building Bridges to Knowledge

The word “bridge” comes from the Germanic term for beam. Bridges can be found on the road, but also in politics and other negotiations as well as in your mouth and as a card game. Let’s stick to the road this time, though, by focusing on bridges used in transportation. These activities will bridge your knowledge.

CONNECT:

• Get down to basics about bridges at http://pghbridges.com/basics.htm
• How long can a bridge be? Why would a bridge make someone seasick? Find out when you check out these bridges: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/index.html
• What makes bridges so strong? Watch for the answer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVOnRPefcno
• Compare bridge structures at http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/videos/engineering/bridgebuilding.html
• This video shows you that bridges can be beautiful: https://youtu.be/SsUglw23i0g. Which is your favorite?
• Trace the history of bridges at http://theconstructor.org/structures/history-of-bridges/5491/

CREATE:

• Create a trivia game about bridges by using these fun facts about bridges: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/engineering/bridges.html https://youtu.be/SsUglw23i0g and https://kidskonnect.com/science/bridges/
• Learn how bridges work by making your own suspension bridge: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/educator/act_suspension_ei.html
• Test bridge designs following the directions at http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/26605/build-a-bridge
• Can you build a bridge that withstands an earthquake? http://www.eduweb.com/portfolio/bridgetoclassroom/engineeringfor.html
• Build a virtual bridge at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/build-bridge-p1.html

CARE:

• What about animals that need to cross the road? There are life-saving wildlife crossings. See some at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6lWv8enIAw
• Covered bridges are a national treasure. Help preserve these historical landmarks at http://www.coveredbridgesociety.org
• Especially in the winter season, you need to be cautious about bridges. See why – and what you can do at http://icyroadsafety.com/icybridges.shtml
• Bridges can be dangerous! Watch and read about how air can destroy a bridge – especially Galloping Gertie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XggxeuFDaDU
• and https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TNBhistory/Machine/machine3.htm

CAREERS:

Bridge-related jobs will always be needed. Check out these options:

http://bridges.gbaps.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=571916&pageId=6419602

https://www.nsta.org/middleschool/connections/201412TNTStudentPacket.pdf

https://www.theguardian.com/careers/architecture-career-options

Shake, Rattle, and Roll -- the Earth

It’s been shaking here in California – and other places throughout the world. Find out how the earth moves – and how you can take action.

CONNECT:

Explore the science behind earthquakes at http://www.exploratorium.edu/faultline/index.html

Watch National Geographic Society’s videos on earthquate format: www.nationalgeographic.com/eye/earthquakes/phenomena.html

See animations about earthquakes at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageearth/earthquakes/index.html

What earthquakes occurred on this day? Find out at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/today/

Read a child’s view of earthquakes in this ABC: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/abc/

Know about Pangaea? It’s the earth’s supercontinent; watch it move at http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/geology/anim1.html

CREATE:

Try these activities that demonstrate earthquake principles: http://www.exploratorium.edu/faultline/activezone/activities.html

Try your hand at one or several of these earthquake activities: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/kidsLearningLinks.php

Test out earthquake science experiments at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/sciencefair.php

A seismograph measures earthquake activity; Bill Nye the Science Guy explains them at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qbg7orb1lc.  Make your own seismograph following the directions at http://www.mrsec.psu.edu/education/nano-activities/sand/make_a_seismograph/make_a_working_seismograph.pdf

Check out earthquake simulations at http://smartr.edc.org/earthquake

CARE:

Learn how to construct an earthquake-proof building at http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/earthquakeproof/

How can you be safe in an earthquake? Create a family earthquake ready kit following the guidelines at http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/earthquakes/ready.htm

The U.S. Geological Survey provides several booklists on earthquake preparedness: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/preparedness.php

The US government shows how to be prepared and support your community in earthquake times: http://www.ready.gov/earthquakes

CAREER:

What’s shaking in civil engineering? Find out at http://www.civilengineeringcareers.org/earthquake-engineering

Learn more about earthquake-related careers at http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/careers/es1004.cfm

Find out what it takes to become a geophysicist: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/become.php

Explore a career in seismology at http://www.seismosoc.org/society/education/careers.php