Solid Earth Project
Welcome to the Solid Earth project page. For this investigation you may work individually or with a partner. However, if you choose to work with a partner, you will need to let me know in writing who contributed what in the investigation. This will let me know that the work was shared equally. Also, you will need to use the scientific method or the engineering design process to conduct this investigation.
- The scientific method is a way to ask and answer scientific questions by making observations and doing experiments. If you need help following the steps of the scientific method, go here to the Steps of the Scientific Method.
- While scientists study how nature works, engineers create new things, such as products, websites, environments, and experiences.
- If your project involves creating or inventing something new, your project might better fit the steps of the Engineering Design Process.
- If you are not sure if your project is a scientific or engineering project, you should read Comparing the Engineering Design Process and the Scientific Method.
- Earthquake prediction Investigate and find out if anyone has a consistent successful way to predict earthquakes. If not, why were they not successful. Come up with your own idea for predicting earthquakes, and test it. Explain why it did or did not work. (Engineering Design Process)
- Earthquake myths Examine earthquake myths and interview people about these myths to find out what they think. What would be the best way to get rid of myths? Is there any group of people who tend to believe myths more? Older people? Younger people? Other groups?(Scientific Method).
- Seismic waves What types of seismic waves are there? What do they look like on a seismogram (recording)? What effects do different kinds of waves have on different kinds of buildings?(Scientific Method)
- Seismograph Make a seismograph. (Scientific Method or Engineering Design Process)
- World-wide earthquake hazards Which areas around the world are most vulnerable to earthquakes and why? What are the major problems dealing with earthquakes in different areas?(Scientific Method)
- Earthquake risks Investigate the current earthquake risks in your area. If there are none currently, have there ever been earthquakes there in the past? Why, and why aren't there any now?(Scientific Method).
- Plate tectonic model Build a model that simulates plate motions and their effects. (Scientific Method or Engineering Design Process)
- San Andreas Fault Learn about the different segments of the San Andreas Fault. Demonstrate how each segment behaves differently and why. (Scientific Method)
- Plate tectonics Cut a world map along the plate boundaries, and try to fit the pieces back together like they were millions of years ago. Observe how each piece has moved to its current position. (Scientific Method)
- Tsunamis Demonstrate how a tsunami is created. (Scientific Method)
- Fault models Make models of different kinds of faults and investigate the tectonic setting of each (where are these types of faults generally found?). (Scientific Method)
- Earthquake-proof buildings Try to design a building that can withstand an earthquake. What works? What doesn't work? Why? (Scientific Method or Engineering Design Process)
- Earthquake preparedness Find the most effective ways to prepare for an earthquake. Test the effectiveness of different types of earthquake brackets and straps, etc. Determine the safest places to be inside the house, outside, in car, etc. Prepare on earthquake plan for your family, class, school. (Scientific Method)
- Monitoring earthquakes Monitor earthquakes locally, regionally, or globally, and plot them on a map. (Scientific Method)
- Locating an earthquake Show how earthquakes are located. Create a fictional story about an earthquake and write a news story with a map showing the epicenter. (Scientific Method and Language Arts)
- Stress & strain Make a model to show how stress and strain affect different materials (wood, silly putty, etc.)
- Earthquakes & volcanoes Investigate how earthquakes and volcanoes are related. (Scientific Method or Engineering Design Process)
- Magnitude & intensity Show the difference between magnitude and intensity. What controls the magnitude of an earthquake? What affects the shaking intensity?(Scientific Method)
- Earthquakes on other planets Do earthquakes occur on other planets? Which ones? Why or why not? (Scientific Method)
- Other ideas to brainstorm Interior of the earth, earthquakes & roads, earthquakes & buildings, earthquakes and the Eastern US, “Ring of Fire”. (Scientific Method or Engineering Design Process)