November 22nd – 10th Grade Science Exhibitions

Description of Project:

Shake it up Baby- 10th grade Earthquake Exhibition

Goal: Teams of students will design and build a structure which will withstand weight and successfully slow the transfer of earthquake energy reducing the “shaking” effect on the building.
Task: Students are building a 5 story building composed of wood. The wooden structure will be sitting on a concrete foundation. During this exhibition, teams of students will be testing the efficiency of their design on a shake table which will simulate an earthquake.

Materials:
½ x 1/4 x8” pieces of wood
12”x12” concrete foundation block
17 gauge 1” nails
Extra materials are custom and individual to the students’ project. Materials can range from rubber to cotton.

Things to know:
Students have background knowledge in earthquakes and how earthquakes effect buildings. Students understand building physics and concepts such as, the center of balance/gravity, wavelength, potential/kinetic energy, and the transfer of energy. The students have also done extensive research on earthquake engineering and structural strength.

Evaluation/Assessment Method:
Judges should ask students to give a thorough explanation of the building process and design. The judges should also ask the student s to reason why or why not their building worked efficiently. Students will be very willing to explain processes and concepts covered in class. I ask you as a judge to challenge the students thinking and design. The best type of learning occurs during debate and reasoning.

Attached is the rubric which will be used during exhibitions. Judges will be assessing by using the second block in the assessment titled Uses Client Perspective to Offer Innovative Solutions. It is important that each judge thoroughly reads both sides of the grading spectrums represented in the block. In the pre-exhibition briefing I will further help judges break down the way they will assess and record their assessments.

Last thoughts: Have fun! Enjoy the students work and great personalities. I will provide everything needed, just bring your knowledge and expertise!

Time slots are as follows:
Period 1: 11:05-11:50
Period 2: 12:55-1:40
Period 3: 2:10-2:55
Period 4: 3:25 – 4:10

Please email info@aceleadership.org to reserve your period.

Thank you!