Unplugged STEM Stations Pack 1: Earthquake Engineering (Grades 4–8)

Bring hands-on engineering, real-world math, technical drawing, computer science logic, and STEM reading comprehension into your classroom with STEM Station Pack 1: Earthquake Engineering & Seismic Design! Designed for grades 4 through 8, this 9-page printable resource is completely unplugged (requiring zero student devices) and engineered to run seamlessly as a 60- to 75-minute rotation lab, group workshop, or whole-class STEM activity.

What Is Included in This 9-Page Pack?

• Page 1: Teacher Setup & Master Guide

  Contains a complete low-cost supply checklist, a visual classroom table arrangement layout, pre-class setup directions, and timing recommendations for 5 rotation stations.

• Page 2: Student Answer Sheet (1-Page Master Handout)

  A single, organized recording sheet for students to clip to a clipboard and carry through every station, ensuring complete individual accountability.

• Page 3: Station 1 Sign — The Seismic Build Lab

  Hands-on engineering station where students construct index card towers, test structural stability on a 10-second shake table, and record height and failure modes.

• Page 4: Station 2 Sign — Budgeting & Data Lab

  Applied math station where students calculate construction costs based on raw materials used and determine their structure's custom Efficiency Score.

• Page 5: Station 3 Sign — Architectural Blueprints

  Drafting station where students create 2D Front and Top-Down orthographic blueprints featuring precise dimension lines based on their tower build.

• Page 6: Station 4 Sign — Automated Safety Algorithm

  Unplugged computer science station where students analyze conditional logic flowcharts (If/Then statements) governing automated building emergency shutdowns.

• Page 7: Station 5 Sign — Real-World Case Study

  Informational reading station covering the 1989 San Francisco Bay Bridge collapse, structural resonance, ground frequency, and seismic base isolation technology.

• Page 8: Detailed Teacher Answer Key

  Provides fully worked math calculations, structural analysis guidelines, algorithm answers, and reading guidance in clean plain text.

• Page 9: 10-Point Master Grading Rubric

  Features a single-page evaluation rubric scoring each station on a clear 0-to-2 point scale for efficient, consistent grading.

Standards Alignment & Materials:

• NGSS: MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3 (Engineering Design), MS-ESS3-2 (Natural Hazards)

• CCSS Math Practices: MP1 & MP4 (Problem Solving & Mathematical Modeling)

• Materials Needed: Index cards, paperclips, masking tape, rulers, and a testing weight (textbook or beanbag). No expensive robotics or digital kits required!