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Lesson Plan
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Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Shake it up with Seismographs!

For Teachers 3rd - 12th Standards
Shake things up in your STEM or earth science classroom when you have small groups construct their own seismographs. A reading assignment on the history of seismographs, the Richter scale, and current technology sets the stage for the...
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Lesson Plan
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California Academy of Science

Earthquakes and Tectonic Plates

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Here is a comprehensive package in which middle schoolers learn about types of seismic waves, triangulation, and tectonic plate boundaries. Complete vocabulary, colorful maps, and a worksheet are included via links on the webpage. You...
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Interactive4:26
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Scholastic

Study Jams! Earthquakes

For Students 5th - 9th
Have a seismic moment with your class as you show this animated video on earthquakes. Viewers find that quakes occur on faults and are caused by shifting of continental plates. They learn what properties are studied by seismologists and...
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PPT
Curated OER

What are Earthquakes?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Here is a scientific presentation of earthquakes. The elastic rebound theory is explained, as well as the different types of waves and how they are measured. Just a note: Slide number 15 has a diagram that is upside down. Enable editing...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Vocabulary for Earthquakes and Volcanoes

For Students 6th - 10th
In this plate tectonics instructional activity, students define 27 terms associated with earthquakes and volcanoes such as subduction zone, mantle, and divergent plate.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Bellwork for Week 9-Earthquakes and Continental Drift

For Students 7th - 9th
In this earthquake and continental drift worksheet, students answer five questions about continental drift, seismic waves and earthquake safety.
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Unit Plan
Vision Learning

Visionlearning: Earth Structure: Virtual Journey to Center of the Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about the interior structure of the Earth and the role of seismic waves as they move through Earth's layers. The research details both compositional layers as well as mechanical layers.
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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...
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Lesson Plan
Other

Tech Museum: Building for the Big One [Pdf]

For Teachers 4th - 8th
This resource presents a project where students 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....
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Seismic Waves: How Earthquakes Move the Earth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students 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 that are...
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Lesson Plan
Other

Digital Library for Earth System Education: Living in Earthquake Country

For Teachers 9th - 10th
An inquiry unit that teaches students about the how and why earthquakes cause damage and about life in earthquake country. Students specifically learn about: earthquake damage, where earthquake occur, earthquake patterns, seismic waves,...
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eBook
Other

Tulane University: Earthquakes and Earth's Interior

For Students 9th - 10th
College instructor's notes on seismology includes earthquake origins, seismic waves, risks and damage assessments, and other information about the interior structure of the Earth.
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Handout
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: Rock'n on Shakey Ground [Pdf]

For Students 3rd - 8th
The basics of earthquake science including factual information about how and why they happen. Also includes some hands-on activities and experiments for students.
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Graphic
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology

Iris: Seismic Wave Motions

For Students 9th - 10th
Four animations showing the movements of surface waves and body waves that are created by earthquakes. Includes P, S, Rayleigh, and Love waves.
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Unit Plan
Sophia Learning

Sophia: Earthquakes

For Students 6th - 8th
A quick, introductory lesson about how earthquakes happen, and what impact these natural events have on life.
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Graphic
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology

Iris: Seismic Tomography [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn how seismic tomography imaging helps scientists understand the formation of the Earth's interior.
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Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: The Faultline/seismic Slinky

For Students 9th - 10th
A lesson plan for investigating longitudinal waves by use of a Slinky toy. Directions, questions, and applications to seismic waves are provided.
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Lesson Plan
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Modeling Earthquake Waves

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students model earthquake waves with a slinky toy.