Earthquake! Design, Engineering, Math & More

A STEAM Activity for Grades 2-5

In this architecture and engineering activity, students will be tasked with using a particular number of index cards (we used 20, but you can change the number to adapt to challenges and grade levels) to form a construction that will withstand an earthquake without the use of tape or glue.  Students will need to figure out how to connect the cards and what shapes might create a more stable foundation.  In addition to engineering, this project also incorporates physics and math and builds resilience and problem-solving skills.  As they build their structures and test them on the shake tables, the structures will fall and students will need to build again and work on their understanding of all of these skills.  Science can be incorporated through an exploration of the forces that change our landscapes (both natural and human-made).

Additional challenges could be specifying a particular height or built within a shorter time limit. or material that we were using.  

Supplies (per earthquake table):

  • 2 three-ring binder covers
  • rubber bouncy balls—appx. 1.5″ (4)
  • building blocks base
  • rubber bands (2)
  • wooden paint stirrer
  • index cards (appx. 20)
  • glue and tape (for constructing base)

Making the Shake (Earthquake) Table:

Take the front and the back covers from a three-ring binder and glue on building blocks base to one of the covers. You can find building blocks base with an adhesive backing, too. Tape a paint stirrer to the underside of the underside of the cover with the building blocks base. Join both covers by wrapping two rubber bands around either end and inserting rubber bouncy balls in between the covers at each corner.

You can make one for every team of two or you can make enough for each student individually.

More STEAM Integration Activities​

duck eggs in a tree nest

The Duckling Zip Line Challenge

This STEAM challenge asks students to design a device that safely delivers ducklings from their nest in a tree to the ground. Our 2022 Summer Workshop participants loved this activity–watch this short recap video and then see below to see how you can implement in your classroom!

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