About the lesson plan
Title: Earthquake – A natural phenomenon
Brief Description: The purpose of this lesson is for students to acquire information about the phenomenon of earthquakes and how its interpretation enables scientists to gather information about the Earth and our protection. Moreover, students will construct their own seismometer, from everyday materials, so as to observe how seismograms are made, and later calculate the location and the magnitude of an earthquake. Provided with an interactive and flexible learning environment, students will be allowed to follow their curiosity and to learn at their own pace.
Authors: Aikaterini Maria Rozi & Kalliopi Ardavani (secondary education teachers of Science and Maths at the 3rd Gymnasio of Glyfada)
Subject Domain: fractures – faults, seismic waves, types of waves, types of earthquakes, seismometer, seismogram and magnitude calculation
Keywords: fractures – faults, seismic waves, types of waves, earthquakes, seismometer, seismogram, magnitude
Language: English
Age Range: 12-18
Didactical Hours: 3 - 4 didactic hours
Educational Objectives:
To learn about the earthquake phenomenon
To be able to describe the causes of earthquakes and identify where they are likely to occur.
To learn about seismic waves and their types.
To be able to describe the differences of the seismic waves and how they are used to calculate the location and the magnitude of an earthquake.
To be able to describe a seismometer.
To be able to analyze a seismogramm.
To be able to understand, analyze and process data out of mathematic equations
To explore the effects earthquakes have on the geology of an area
To describe how earthquakes can damage property (the reason we study them for) , and explain why it is important to be able to predict their occurrence and built structures and buildings able to withstand the effects of earthquakes.
Physical Layout of Room:
Teachers may decide whether students work in small groups of two or three, or individually. No more than 3 students should share a computer in order to maximize learning. Adaptations can be made to accommodate classrooms with one computer with Internet access. These might include using an overhead projector with a LCD that projects the computer image on a screen or a hookup from a computer to a television monitor.
Materials:
Internet Access
Overhead projector or digital projector