Earthquakes Rock Sixth Grade Science Room

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Shake, rattle and roll was the theme of the day when Deborah Davis’s sixth-grade science students put their popsicle-stick buildings to the test.

The buildings were created with the idea that they should be built to withstand an earthquake. Primarily constructed of popsicle sticks and toothpicks, the students got creative with the materials for the foundations of the buildings. One group was certain that marshmallows would provide the necessary cushion to protect their building from an earthquake, while another decided that springs would do the trick.

Students were required to build to certain specifications, which were checked by Mrs. Davis before the earthquake could begin. The sixth-graders worked in groups to construct buildings that were three stories high and 45 centimeters tall. The groups were provided with 400 popsicle sticks and 200 toothpicks for the basic construction, but had the option to paint and decorate however they liked. Each building had a theme and a name, with Sweetie’s Bakery, Mohawk Tipi Tower, Blondie Mall, Apple HQ, being a few of the choices.

The excitement came when the students attached their building to a cart, and then shook it back and forth to simulate an earthquake. While some buildings held together, others toppled when tested by a strong shake.

The experiment came to a close with lots of laughter, and a great ending to their study of earthquakes.