Unplugged STEM Stations Pack 1: Earthquake Engineering & Seismic Design 4th–8th

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! This 9-page printable resource is completely unplugged (no computers needed for students) and designed to run smoothly as a 60- to 75-minute rotation lab or whole-class activity. 📦 WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS 9-PAGE PACK? Page 1: Teacher Setup & Master Guide Includes a full supply checklist, a visual classroom table setup diagram, pre-class prep steps, and rotation timing tips. Page 2: Student Answer Sheet (1-Page Master Handout) A single sheet for students to clip to a clipboard and carry from Station 1 to Station 5. Keeps every student accountable and organized! Page 3: Station 1 Sign — The Seismic Build Lab Students build index card towers, run a 10-second table-shake test, and record height and structural failure points. Page 4: Station 2 Sign — Budgeting & Data Lab Students calculate their construction cost based on materials used and calculate their tower's custom Efficiency Score. Page 5: Station 3 Sign — Architectural Blueprints Students sketch 2D Front and Top-Down orthographic blueprints with dimension lines based on their build. Page 6: Station 4 Sign — Automated Safety Algorithm Students analyze a conditional flowchart (If/Then logic) for a smart building's automated emergency shutdown system. Page 7: Station 5 Sign — Real-World Case Study Students read a short passage on the 1989 San Francisco Bay Bridge collapse to learn about resonance, ground frequencies, and rubber base isolators. Page 8: Detailed Teacher Answer Key Includes worked math examples, structural analysis points, logic responses, and reading answer guidance in plain, easy-to-read text. Page 9: 10-Point Master Grading Rubric A clean, single-page rubric assessing every station on a 0-to-2 point scale for easy and consistent grading. 🎯 LEARNING OBJECTIVES & CCSS / NGSS ALIGNMENT NGSS MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3: Engineering Design & Failure Analysis NGSS MS-ESS3-2: Natural Hazards & Structural Mitigation CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP1 & MP4: Real-World Math & Budget Modeling Unplugged CS Concepts: Algorithms, Conditionals, and Emergency Logic Flow 🛠️ MATERIALS NEEDED Standard index cards, paperclips, masking tape, rulers, and a testing weight (textbook or beanbag). No complex or expensive kits required!