On Saturday November 17th, 2001, the Southern California Office of the U.S. Geological Survey and SCEC held an earthquake education workshop at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, CA. The workshop explored the science of earthquakes and applied those concepts to a wide range of activities. The Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS), provided curriculum materials, posters, books and many of the supplies for the workshop. Lisa Wald (USGS), Wendy Shindle (USGS), Bob de Groot (SCEC) and Martha House (Caltech) organized and conducted the activities, lectures, and discussions throughout the day. Ilene Cooper (USC) assisted with the activities and served as an excellent facilitator.

Lisa Wald discusses global tectonics during the Tectonic Plate Puzzle Activity Ilene Cooper explains how a shake table is used to test structures.

The objective of the workshop was to present educators with earth science and earthquake materials and activities that they could take back to their students. One of the most important aspects of the workshop was the opportunity for the educators to exchange ideas and share enthusiasm for earth science education. “The chance to network with teachers and presenters that are truly excited about science and science teaching is a breath of fresh air,” remarked an enthusiastic participant.

Participants drove from as far away as San Diego County to attend the full-day workshop. As the registration deadline approached, over 35 people had signed up for 20 available spots. SCEC and the USGS are planning to hold at least two workshops during Spring 2002. One of the spring workshops will be held in Los Angeles County and the other at KidZone Children’s Museum in Riverside County (home of the ShakeZone Earthquake Exhibit opening in January).

Martha House describes a simple and tasty way to teach about faults during the Peanut Butter and Jelly Fault Activity Workshop participants were provided with many excellent activities in a binder provided by IRIS. Always finding a reason to play with a toy, Bob de Groot shows how to demonstrate P and S waves with a slinky. Wendy Shindle, as always an expert in describing complex concepts, uses simple supplies from a hardware store to share the Stick Slip Fault Activity

SCEC and USGS extend thanks to Greg Feldmeth, the Headmaster of Polytechnic School. He, science educator Susan Bartow and math educator Jon Fay made every effort to ensure that every need was met. The workshop would not have been possible without the generosity of time and resources provided by Polytechnic School and its staff. If you have questions about the content of the workshop please contact Lisa Wald or Wendy Shindle at the USGS Pasadena Field Office (626-583-7811), or Bob de Groot at SCEC (213-740-5843). Announcements for the spring workshops will appear in SCEC InstaNET News. USGS/SCEC Earthquake Education Workshop Agenda Introduction Welcome, Overview & Agenda Icebreaker Earthquakes 101 – the earthquake basics Epicenters, Earth Structure & Plate Tectonics Plotting Earthquake Epicenters Earth’s Interior “Pizza” – 2 levels 3-D Earth Structure Tectonic Flip Book Tectonic Plate Puzzle Dynamic Planet puzzle Faults PBJ Fault Foam Fault Models Brick and Sandpaper Stick-slip Fault Model Earthquake Waves Slinky Waves Human Waves Run/Walk P & S Waves (outside) Earthquake Shaking Magnitude versus Intensity Activity Shake Table Contest Evaluation