Build & Test Earthquake Proof Buildings

Lesson Details

Subjects *

Computer Programming, Science

Age Ranges *

8-11, 11-14

Fab Tools *

electronics, Computer, Programming, Hot Glue Gun, Scissors, Micro-Bit, Cardboard

Standards

4-ESS3-2

Author

DFRobot Edu

Author

DFRobot Edu

Informal educator

Summary

This project will show you how to make an earthquake shake table to simulate earthquakes at different frequencies. Connect the model with a microcontroller to measure and visualize the earthquake intensity in Mind+. Then you can build earthquake-proof structures and test out their seismic resistance.

Video reference: https://youtu.be/EWlnYXfWSHI

For more class contents, please visit edu.dfrobot.

What You'll Need

1 Box & 1 Cardboard

16 Straws

18 Pipe Cleaners

7 Bottle Caps (6 normal sizes, 1 slightly bigger)

4 Bubber Bans

1 Push Pin

1 micro:bit

1 BOSON Mainboard 1IO

1 BOSON Rotation Sensor

1 BOSON Motor Controller

1 BOSON Geared Motor

Lesson Materials

Sample Program

The Instructions

Build the Shake Table

The model simulates seismic ground motion during an earthquake. With a rotation sensor, you can change the speed of the motor to generate movement at different frequencies. It will be inspiring to test the effect of short and high-frequency earthquakes on buildings with different heights.