USC's Young Scientists Program Engages Middle Schoolers in Earthquake Education

Originally Published: December 3, 2019

By Mari Rustebakke and Dieuwertje Kast

The Young Scientists Program at the University of Southern California USC joined forces with the Department of Earth Science at USC and Dr. Emily Cooperdock to host an engaging after-school workshop med at middle school students at the Dr. Theodore T. Alexander Jr. Science Center School in Los Angeles. The program was designed to highlight the science behind earthquakes, including tectonic plates movements, seismic waves P- and S-waves, and seismology, thereby emphasizing their significance for natural disaster preparedness.

The featured speaker was Brianna Birkel, a graduate student from USC's Earth Sciences Department with expertise in data-driven computational techniques that help to refine our geophysicalof the Earth. The goal is to enhance our ability to predict and mitigate natural hazards associated with earthquakes and similar phenomena.

A team comprised of other dedicated Earth Science students at USC, including Cullen Scheland, Rachel Kelly, and Anahi Carrera supported the workshop by facilitating various interactive stations that were designed for third to fifth-grade participants.

The learning experience was carefully structured into distinct hands-on activities:

1. Reinforced Building Station: Students learned about seismic retrofitting - of strengthening existing structures agnst earthquake damage. They constructed makeshift structures using popsicle sticks and tested their resilience on a shake table made from plywood and rubber bands that simulates an earthquake.

2. DIY Seismograph Station: The students built简易 seismometers, which are essential in measuring earthquake intensity by generating wave patterns through the movement of markers attached to paper over sharpies susped by strings.

3. Earthquake Preparedness Station: Participants were taught crucial safety guidelines during earthquakes and how to assemble a basic emergency kit. They then conducted a scavenger hunt to identify all necessary items for their survival kits.

4. Plate Boundaries Station: Dr. Brianna Birkel shared insights on the three types of tectonic plate boundaries divergent, transform, and convergent through interactive demonstrations using graham crackers asfor plates and whipped cream representing magma beneath Earth's crust.

This workshop is made possible by the generous support of State Farm.

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