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Hands-on activity: Earthquakes Living Lab: The Theory of Plate Tectonics

Contributed by Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines

For FREE access to the full activity write-up, click here!

Grade Level: 8 (6-8) Time Required: 60 minutes
Group Size: 2 Expendable Cost per Group: US $0
Subject areas: earth and space, physical science

Summary
Students gather evidence to explain the theory of
plate tectonics. Using the online resources at the
Earthquakes Living Lab, students examine
information and gather evidence supporting the
theory. They also look at how volcanoes and
earthquakes are explained by tectonic plate
movement, and how engineers use this information.
Working in pairs, students think like engineers and connect what they understand about the theory
of plate tectonics to the design of structures for earthquake-resistance. A worksheet serves as a
student guide for the activity. This engineering curriculum meets Next Generation Science
Standards (NGSS).
Engineering Connection
Understanding the processes that shape the Earth helps engineers design the structures in our
communities to withstand powerful natural events such as earthquakes. For construction projects,
especially those near active faults and coastlines, engineers consider the effects of plate tectonics. If
one tectonic plate suddenly slips with respect to another plate, the release of energy can cause
earthquakes that impact structures. To design adequate foundations, engineers must first understand
the properties and behavior of ground and subsurface materials. They design structures with added
factors of safety to account for the anticipated magnitude of earthquakes and volcanic activity in
certain areas.
Scientists and engineers around the globe gather data through observation and experimentation and
use it to describe and understand how the world works. The Earthquakes Living Lab gives students
the chance to track earthquakes across the planet and examine where, why and how they are
occurring. Using the real-world data in the living lab enables students and teachers to practice
analyzing data to solve problems and answer questions, in much the same way that scientists and
engineers do every day.
Learning Objectives
After this activity, students should be able to:

 Identify evidence of continental movement and explain continental drift.

 Explain plate movement and the consequences of that movement on landforms.
 Describe how engineers design buildings for earthquake-prone areas.
Introduction/Motivation
(It is helpful to have a world map handy to show students the continents of the Earth.) Have you
ever noticed how the continents of Africa and South America could fit together—almost like puzzle
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 TeachEngineering.org | free STEM lessons and activities for K-12

pieces? Scientists first noticed this in the early 20th century, and after decades of research, arrived
at the theory of plate tectonics.
According to the theory of plate tectonics, the Earth's crust is divided into plates that are continually
moving either towards or away from each other. An earthquake is what happens when two tectonic
plates suddenly slip past one another. The slipping causes shaking, or vibration in the form of
surface and body waves. The waves travelling through the Earth can damage the human-made
structures that compose our communities, such as buildings, bridges, roadways, pipelines, schools
and homes. Knowing that this might happen, engineers design structures that are better able to resist
or withstand the forces generated by earthquakes. Some structures are engineered to be stronger or
stiffer, while other structures are engineered to be more flexible and react to earthquake forces by
bending.
Aligned Educational Standards
NGSS (1); ITEEA (1); CO science (2)

To see/print the full activity, including the materials list,

procedures, specific aligned standards, attachments and assessment click
https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/csm_platetectonics_activity1?utm_source=tpt

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