Earthquake+STEAM+Wave+Unit+Project+&+Rubrics

A Journey into Earthquakes Waves STEAM Unit Project (Analyzing Seismic waves, Signals, and Earthquake Resilience) Group Names: _________________________________________ Date: ________________ Period: ______ Due Date: November 30, 2023 Students will receive various grades within this unit; however, the final summative assessment will be the final earthquake-proof, cost-efficient infrastructure and presentation. To obtain the latest updates and information, please consult the student calendar in Schoology. Problem: How can you investigate the factors contributing to an increase in earthquake frequency and develop effective structural designs to mitigate their destructive impact? The Challenge: Earthquakes are one of the most terrifying and devastating naturally occurring events on the planet. Earthquakes generate seismic waves that travel through the Earth's interior and surface. Damages resulting from earthquakes are due to the intensity and duration of seismic waves. Earthquakes often occur with little warning and are inescapable. The deadliest and most destructive earthquakes in history were recorded with a magnitude between 7 and 9.5 based on the Richter Scale. In South Carolina, earthquakes mostly occur along the Coastal Plains. The most devastating earthquake in South Carolina's history occurred in Charleston on August 31, 1886. This earthquake had a recorded magnitude of 7.3 on the Richter scale and was felt over 2.5 million square miles. Over one hundred people lost their lives during this earthquake, with an estimated over five million dollars worth of damage. Over 2,000 homes and buildings in the southeastern region of the United States were affected during this catastrophic event. South Carolina typically has around six to ten earthquakes annually with an average magnitude of 1-3 on the Richter scale. Since 2021, South Carolina has experienced an increase in the frequency of these naturally occurring events. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, there have been 96 earthquakes in South Carolina since January 18, 2021. According to the DNR, a total of 84 earthquakes have occurred in the Columbia area after a 3.3-magnitude earthquake was registered on December 27, 2021. According to the state Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina experienced its 12th confirmed earthquake in 2023. This recent seismic event is the latest one recorded in the region since a 2.5 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Lowcountry on July 24th. You will take on the roles of a seismologist, geophysicist, civil engineer, and financial consultant and work with your team to help solve the problem of creating structures that can withstand the devastation that an earthquake can cause. Work with your team to determine (1) what causes earthquakes and (2) what's behind the increase in the frequency of earthquakes in South Carolina. (3) Investigate the relationship between wave energy, wave properties, and earthquakes. (4) Use the data collected to design a budget-conscious structure that would minimize the damage caused by earthquakes. (5) Generate a seismogram through the utilization of analog signals. (6) Prepare an interactive presentation that reflects and showcases your research on the relationship between waves and earthquakes, the history of earthquakes in SC, safety tips and how to prepare for earthquakes, your budget, and your earthquake-proof, cost-efficient design. You and your team will have the opportunity to present your project to your peers, a local civil engineer and a finance major. Essential or Driving questions: What causes earthquakes to increase in frequency, and how can you design structures to minimize their damage? Content Standards: PS4: Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer 8-PS4-1. Using mathematical representations, describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. 8-PS4-3. Communicate information to support the claim that digital devices are used to improve our understanding of how waves transmit information.

Criteria Directions: Your challenge is to design and construct an earthquake-resistant infrastructure within a limited budget of $175.00 ($175,000). The infrastructure should be capable of supporting 300 grams of weight and ensuring minimal damage during an earthquake. Constraints: Your budget is restricted to $175.00. Your infrastructure will be deemed "earthquake-resistant" if it can withstand the simulator for a full minute without collapsing at all three intensity levels (low, medium, and high). To qualify as a floor, each level must have a minimum height of 10 cm, and your structure should have at least two floors with an overall minimum height of 20 cm. Materials/Equipment ● 01- Thin popsicle sticks ($1.00 each) ● 02- Straws ($1.00 each) ● 03- Pipe cleaners ($1.00 each) ● 04- Glue stick ($2.00 per stick) ● 05- Other materials brought from home for building purposes ($2.00 per item) ● 06- Other materials brought from home for decoration purposes ($1.00 per item) ● 07- Thick popsicle sticks ($2.00 each) ● 08- Loan ($15.00 per $10.00) ● 09- Grant worth $20.00 (Write a grant to receive extra money if needed.) ● Scissors ● Earthquake simulator Questions to Consider Before Building: 1. Why is the field of earthquake engineering essential? 2. What is used to measure earthquakes? 3. What do you predict will help your infrastructure withstand the earthquake? 4. How would you react if the structure you designed for your loved ones was hazardous and exposed them to danger during an earthquake? 5. How would you ensure your family's safety and ensure that your building would survive an earthquake? Blueprint of Infrastructure: ( You can create your blueprint either by hand or using digital tools. ) If your blueprint or diagram does not fit within the given space, you have the option to utilize an additional sheet of paper for it.

Data Table: Intensity Level Timeframe (How long did it last?) Modifications Initial Trial Final Trial Questions to Answer After Initial Testing: 6. Why did you design your infrastructure the way you did? 7. What happened to your infrastructure in the initial testing? Explain. 8. How long did your infrastructure remain on the simulator for the initial test? What was the intensity level? 9. What modifications were implemented in the structure after the initial test, and what prompted these changes? Questions to Answer After Final Testing: 10. Did the final testing results differ from the initial trial? Elaborate. 11. What aspect of the budgeting and engineering design challenge posed the greatest difficulty?

Earthquake-Proof & Cost-Efficient Infrastructure Rubric Components Maximum Points Points Received & Feedback Properly constructed an earthquake infrastructure using the provided materials and/or any other materials to make the structure durable. ( 20 pts . - The infrastructure was properly completely constructed.) ( 15 pts . - The infrastructure was mostly properly and completely constructed.) ( 10 pts . - The infrastructure was somewhat properly completely constructed.) ( 5 pts. - The infrastructure was not properly completely constructed.) ( 0 pts - The infrastructure was not properly completed at all.) 20 The infrastructure is 20 cm or more in height, at least two stories high, and has the required dimensions to fit on the stimulator base. Dimensions (22cm in width, 15cm in length, & 50cm for the max height. ( 50 pts . - The infrastructure had a minimum height of 20 cm, consisted of at least 2 floors, and was appropriately sized to fit on the simulator.) ( 40 pts. - The infrastructure was less than 20 cm in height, consisted of 2 floors, and was appropriately sized to fit on the simulator.) ( 30 pts. - The infrastructure was less than 20 cm in height, consisted of 1 floor, and was appropriately sized to fit on the simulator.) ( 20 pts. - The infrastructure was less than 20 cm in height, consisted of 1 floor, and was not appropriately sized to fit the simulator.) ( 0 pts - The infrastructure was less than 20 cm in height, consisted of 1 floor, and was not appropriately sized in either width or length to fit on the simulator.) 50 A cost-effective/efficient budget was created. ( 30 pts . - The infrastructure was both budget-friendly and did not exceed a price of $175.00.) ( 20 pts. -The infrastructure was cost-effective, although it slightly went beyond the original budget of $175.00.) Range: $176.00 – $186.00 ( 10 pts. -The infrastructure was not cost-effective and went beyond the original budget of $150.00.) Range: $187.00 – $207.00 ( 0 pts - The infrastructure was not cost-effective and went significantly over the allocated budget of $150.00.) Range: $208 or higher 30 The building supports 300 grams. ( 10 pts . - The infrastructure can hold up to 300 grams. ( 5 pts. -The infrastructure can hold up to 200 grams.) ( 0 pts - The infrastructure was not able to hold more than 100 grams.) 10 Final Test: Structure withstood the highest-level earthquake shake for 1 minute ( 20 ); middle level for 1 minute ( 10 ); lowest level for 1 minute ( 5 ) 20 All questions were answered accurately. (11 questions = 1 point each ) 11 Creativity ( 10 pts . - The infrastructure was designed with creativity, demonstrating a capacity for innovative thinking.) ( 5 pts. -The infrastructure was designed with some creativity, demonstrating some capacity for innovative thinking.) ( 0 pts -The infrastructure was not designed with creativity and did not demonstrate a capacity for innovative thinking.) 10 Total /151 Grade: