Introduction
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 Your task is to create an earthquake proof structure. Arnold
Schwarzenegger wants a new governors’ mansion created for him and his wife to live in, but
he wants to make sure it is earthquake proof. Your job is to create the
governors’ mansion for our new governor. You have been learning about the
historical aspect of earthquakes as well as the scientific aspect of
earthquakes. Now we are going to look at the mathematical aspect of
earthquakes. When engineers are designing buildings in earthquake prone
areas, they have to design the building to withstand earthquakes. You will
have to use your knowledge of geometric shapes to create your building. |
Task
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Your task is to
create a three dimensional structure that will withstand an earthquake. You
will have a choice of materials. You will use your knowledge of earthquakes,
plate tectonics, and geometric shapes to create your structure. You will
work in groups of three students to collaborate and create an earthquake
proof structure. Different variables need to be considered when constructing a
building durable enough to survive a catastrophic earthquake. The following
factors contribute to the durability of a  structure:
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Distribution
of weight
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Variation
in shape
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Variation
in height
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Variation
in foundation material
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Process
Ř
 You will form groups of three to create your structure. You
will decide what design you want the structure to be. First, you will create
a sketch of what you want your building to look like. You will study
structures of different buildings within California as well as other areas
via the internet. Below are a few websites to help you with your structure.
You will need to pick out what type of foundation you want to use, next you
will pick your building materials, and finally your structure design. Your
group will create the structure and create a one to two page report
describing what your group decided on for your structure and why. This
should include at least two resources that you used to justify your structure
design, material choice, or foundation. Your paper will describe the
materials that you would use to create the actual building as well as the
materials that you used in your sample structure. This report will be what
you want submitted to our new governor as a proposal for  his new governors’ mansion. Each building will be put to the
test of a simulated earthquake. The group who has the strongest earthquake
will receive extra credit. Your choices of materials will be: toothpicks, wooden skewers,
straws, Styrofoam, Popsicle sticks, or wire. You can use any type of
adhesive to join together your building materials.
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Resources
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Click on this link to view a variety of building structures: http://www.exploratorium.edu/structures/
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Click on this link to learn about magnetism and building
structures: http://www.exn.ca/Templates/Story.cfm?ID=1998091462
Ř
Click on this link to view a possible earthquake proof building
structure: http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/eti/projects/tower1.html
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Evaluation
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Students will be evaluated on their written report as well as
the structure. Originality, research based results, and grammatical accuracy
will be some of the criteria for the project. Students will present their
structure and a brief description of the rationale, so their oral
presentation will be a portion of their grade as well.
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10 points for collaboration
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10 points for oral presentation
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30 points for written report
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20 points for building structure
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5 points extra credit for strongest building
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Conclusion
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Once everyone has completed their structure we will have a  simulated earthquake to see which building(s) were the
strongest. Creating earthquake proof buildings is extremely important for
California, especially for people near the fault lines.
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