Year 9 Geography students put their engineering skills to the test this week by designing and making earthquake proof buildings.

They were given strict time constraints and limited materials, just like true architects! In previous lessons, the students had studied ways to make a building earthquake proof to avoid disasters and injury if an earthquake was to strike. They learned the cross bracing method and how triangular shaped buildings, such as the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco, can help reduce the effects of a deadly earthquake.

The structures the students had to make with 20 straws, a meter of string and  sellotape, also had to withstand 10 seconds of shaking and 2 x 150g sand bags on each story of their two story structure. This was a difficult task! However there were definitely some winning designs.

Mrs J Rowley

Head of Humanities