Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Seismic Waves: How Earthquakes Move the Earth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers learn about the types of seismic waves produced by earthquakes and how they move the Earth. The dangers of earthquakes are presented as well as the necessity for engineers to design structures for earthquake-prone areas...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Shake It Up! Engineering for Seismic Waves

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students learn about how engineers design and build shake tables to test the ability of buildings to withstand the various types of seismic waves generated by earthquakes. Just like engineers, students design and build shake tables to...
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Seismic Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] The seismic waves that emanate from earthquakes include body waves and surface waves. Learn how scientists use seismic waves to learn about the Earth's interior.
Handout
Other

Nevada Seismological Laboratory: Seismic Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource describes the two different types of seismic waves and how they travel through the earth, offers diagrams of the waves, their speeds, and how seismograms are used to locate earthquakes.
Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Seismic Waves Study Guide

For Students 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This study guide summarizes key points about types of seismic waves. Includes a few questions to check for understanding.
Handout
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Seismic Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
Basic definitions and characteristics of the different wave types, diagrams, and speeds of the waves. Has links to information on seismology, earthquakes, and plate tectonics.
Unit Plan
Other

Matter Project: Seismic Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
Seismic waves are studied to better understand the ground beneath us, the layers of Earth and points of interest for earthquakes. Better understand the types of waves, what substances they may travel through and how, and gain a clearer...
Website
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Faultline: P and S Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
The different types of earthquake waves are discussed and illustrated. Features geologist video clip.
Lesson Plan
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Measuring the Earth's Core With Seismic Waves

For Teachers 9th - 10th
When an earthquake occurs, seismic shock waves travel out through the earth from the source of the event. The shock waves travel through the earth (body waves), or along the Earth's surface (surface waves), and can be recorded at remote...
Website
PBS

Nova: Seismic Signals

For Students 9th - 10th
Scientists have determined that the earthquakes preceding volcanic eruptions are different than those that precede earthquakes. Discover the sounds and wave patterns produced by the three different types of volcanic seismic activities.
Activity
Energy4Me

Energy4me: Exploring Sound Waves

For Students 2nd - 6th
This activity explores the behavior of sound waves. Learn how to test how sound travels through different types of rock.
Handout
Michigan Technological University

Michigan Tech University: Where Do Earthquakes Happen?

For Students 9th - 10th
An informative site that explains how and where earthquakes occur and the different types of faults. Contains maps and charts of fault lines, plate edges, and the continental plates. There are other links within the site of related...
Lesson Plan
Other

Tech Museum: Building for the Big One [Pdf]

For Teachers 4th - 8th
This resource presents a project where learners 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....
Lesson Plan
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Set Your Table for a Sweet and Sticky Earthquake Shake

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Earthquakes can have different affects depending on their location. This week long exercise asks you to build a model house and a special table to shake it on, and see how different soil types can amplify shaking.
Lesson Plan
Energy4Me

Energy4me: Name That Tune

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students will learn that scientists use seismic technology (sound waves) to map patterns of rock formations below the surface of the earth and that different types of rocks affect sound waves.