Driving Question – The reason and guiding force of our research. This must be reflected in your presentation:
Earthquakes can have devastating effects. How can engineering help us build homes and buildings that withstand earthquakes?
Unit Questions – These questions must also be addressed in your presentation:
How do earthquakes impact on homes and buildings?
How can the effects of earthquakes best be managed?
Content Questions – These questions will build your background knowledge and the answers to these questions will be recorded in your PBL journal:
- What is an earthquake?
- What causes an earthquake?
- Do earthquakes occur more in some places than others?
- How and why are earthquakes measured?
- What have been some of the most devastating earthquakes in the last ten years?
- What design features or building materials already exist, or could be used in the future to help homes and buildings withstand earthquakes?
- How does the financial situation of the country you live in impact on whether you have a home that can withstand an earthquake? Is this fair?
Project Timeline
Week 1
Students are introduced to the project and split into groups of 4.
Students begin building their background knowledge about earthquakes. Using their PBL journal as a place to record their findings, students will research the following questions:
- What is an earthquake?
- What causes an earthquake?
- Do earthquakes occur more in some places than others?
A starting point for student research can be found on the page Week 1 in the Content tab.
Week 2
Students continue building their background knowledge about earthquakes. Using their PBL journal as a place to record their findings, students will research the following questions:
- How and why are earthquakes measured?
- What have been some of the most devastating earthquakes in the last ten years?
A starting point for student research can be found on the page Week 2 in the Content tab.
Week 3
Students build a background knowledge in building designs and materials. Using their PBL journal as a place to record their findings, students will research the following questions:
- What design features or building materials already exist, or could be used in the future to help homes and buildings withstand earthquakes?
- How does the financial situation of the country you live in impact on whether you have a home that can withstand an earthquake? Is this fair?
A starting point for student research can be found on the page Week 3 in the Content tab.
Week 4
Students begin building their PBL project that answers the Driving Question and Unit Questions. It can take on a form of their choosing – they could create a video, model, slowmation, website, comic book, play, series of writing pieces etc.
Week 5
Students finish building their PBL project.
Week 6
Students present their PBL projects to their peers, and celebrate their achievements.