Makers Challenge

Earthquake Challenge

Build the tallest possible structure that can withstand the shake of an earthquake

Math - Measurement & DataNGSS - Physical ScienceELA - Speaking & ListeningCTE - Engineering & Design

4 - 12 Classes

45 - 75 Minutes

Gr 3 and Above

Challenge Overview

Challenge Details

Makers challenges are designed to be flexible and can be adapted to fit a variety of schedules, age groups, and program needs, including condensed pilot formats that deliver core experiences and measurable student outcomes in as little as 1 - 2 classes.

Real-World Connections

Earthquakes have been wreaking havoc on this Earth since the beginning of our time, with the earliest human record occurring in 1177 B.C. As civilizations rose and crumbled through earthquakes over the years, engineers have evolved their practice of constructing structures that can withstand an earthquake using techniques like bracing systems, shear walls, and more.

Reinforce structures through bracing systems and shear walls
Experiment with materials and joints to reinforce weak points
Design structures for load-bearing by testing how weight affects structure strength and deflection
Observe cause and effect scenarios to improve designs through hands-on testing and iteration

Materials & Constraints

Materials: Wooden studs (of various sizes and shapes); Fasteners (string, rubber bands, pipe cleaner, and tape); Creative elements (chipboard, paper, markers).

Every solution is different. There is no single “right” build — only more effective solutions.

Team Roles & Career Connections

Students take on defined roles within their teams so no one sits on the sidelines and every team operates like a real crew.

📐 Engineer — Leads the build strategy and guides the team's decisions about resource-use and presenting and story-telling.
🛠️ Builder — Constructs the design and makes real-time adjustments during the build to better meet the challenge's requirements.
🎨 Designer — Plans aesthetic enhancements and creative elements in each challenge to balance form with function.
🔎 Inspector — Tests for weak points in the team's solution and evaluates against challenge requirements to recommend improvements.

How It Works

The Makers Process

1Key Vocabulary & Engineering Concepts

Students build a shared language for the challenge and relevant engineering concepts by making real-world connections with their surroundings and personal experiences.

2Concepts in Action

Students put these terms and concepts to the test through hands-on practice, building low-fidelity prototypes, testing their designs, and making adjustments through real-time feedback.

3Explore & Design

Students begin exploring the challenge materials and experimenting with how they connect, balance, and support weight. Working individually or in small groups, students explore different combinations of materials to understand how they impact performance.

4Plan & Build Strategy

Students use their new understanding of the materials (what works & what doesn't) to plan their designs. With a limited amount of resources, students must make strategic decisions about which materials to use to best meet the challenge requirements.

5Build & Iterate

Now in small groups, students bring their ideas to life by building and iterating on their solutions. As they test their designs against the challenge requirements, they identify weak points, make targeted improvements, and add in creative elements that reflect their team's ideas and identity.

6Present & Test

Students share their designs, the strategy behind their decisions, and how they improved their solution over time, oftentimes incorporating story-telling elements along the way. Then they put their build to the test — evaluating performance based on the challenge criteria.

Skills Built