Project Questions and Timeline

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:

  1. What is an earthquake?
  2. What causes an earthquake?
  3. Do earthquakes occur more in some places than others?
  4. How and why are earthquakes measured?
  5. What have been some of the most devastating earthquakes in the last ten years?
  6. What design features or building materials already exist, or could be used in the future to help homes and buildings withstand earthquakes?
  7. 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.