Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Measuring Earthquakes

For Teachers 4th - 8th
After a brief discussion on earthquakes, make a makeshift seismograph to record the shaking of the table that it sits upon. While the background information will be useful to you as a teacher, the seismograph does not seem like it would...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquakes Rock!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars study the main methods to measure earthquakes; the Richter Scale and Mercalli Scale. They make a model of a seismograph and investigate which structural designs are most likely to survive an earthquake.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquake Experiments

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss the effects of earthquakes. For this earth science lesson, students create earthquake models and earthquake-proof buildings. They construct their own seismograph.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seismometer

For Teachers 4th - 8th
All this resource provides is a black line diagram of a simple seismometer and two sentences explaining how it works. Use this as a transparency or display it through your projector when studying tectonic activity. It would be especially...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Virtual Earthquake

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners visit a website that features online interactive geology and biology simulations. They observe and estimate the amplitude of the largest wave and transfer the information to a nomogram. Based on the nomogram students will...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slush Rush

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Young scholars navigate software to help students understand the benefits of computer models.  In this computer models activity, young scholars use computer inquiry tools to record simulated events and how they affect objects such...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TE Activity: Survive That Tsunami!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars examine the causes of tsunamis and observe a table top wave making machine. They make model houses while working in groups so that the can see how different construction types work. They discuss how engineers can design...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seismology in the Classroom

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students work together to use a sample seismograph. They role play the position of an engineering firm that is to analyze the machine. They discover how engineers develop new machines to take measurements.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Layered Earth

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars role play plate tectonics by creating a "plate statue" made up of students. In this earth science lesson, young scholars describe how Earth's movement cause earthquakes and volcanoes. They draw and name the different...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wave Types and Characteristics

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders identify the different parts of a wave. In this physics lesson, 9th graders observe wave behavior as it travels through a boundary. They determine the relationship between wavelength, frequency and velocity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Forces

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners use geological techniques such as plate tectonics, mountain building, earthquakes, and volcanoes, in order to explain the earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquake on the Playground

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners investigate earthquakes by examining chart data.   In this disasters instructional activity, students identify the waves that are recorded when an earthquake arises by reading sample graphs in class.  Learners...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Earthquakes Rock!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners learn the two main methods to measure earthquakes, the Richter Scale and the Mercalli Scale. They make a model of a seismograph - a measuring device that records an earthquake on a seismogram. Students also investigate which...