The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Build a small structure, place it on a shake table, and compare how design changes affect its movement. This is a classroom engineering investigation—not a test that can prove a model, much less a real building, is “earthquake-proof.”
What this project investigates
The activity uses a model building and a shake table to explore how structural choices affect movement under simulated shaking. Students can compare frames, braces, building height, and the placement of a suspended weight. The cycle is straightforward: design, build, test, observe, and improve.
The project connects to frequency, acceleration, structure and stability, geometric design, measurement, and iterative engineering. DFRobotEdu identifies it with the U.S. science standard 4-ESS3-2, which asks students to generate and compare solutions for reducing the impacts of natural Earth processes on people. Related SCOPES-DF lessons list ages 8–11 and 8–14, respectively; educators can adapt adult support to their learners.
See the SCOPES-DF lesson by Rebecca Jiang, the DFRobot Edu SCOPES-DF lesson, and DFRobotEdu’s project documentation, published August 15, 2022.
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#1 Best Overall
- STEM Learning Tool - This earthquake simulation platform introduces kids to science and engineering concepts through hands-on experimentation, making it a practical STEM project for children ages 8-12 curious about how earthquakes work.
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- Wooden Construction - Crafted from wood for repeated use during experiments and activities; the natural material provides a tactile building experience that complements hands-on STEM and engineering education.
- Creative Science Experiments - Once assembled, children can run multiple earthquake simulations to observe how structures respond to shaking, encouraging exploration of physics and engineering principles through trial and observation.
- Compact Kit with Complete Parts - Measures 5.51 x 5.51 x 2.32 in (14 x 14 x 5.9 cm); includes 1 complete DIY earthquake simulation experiment set; verify dimensions before ordering to ensure it suits your workspace or storage needs.
Materials and build options
A basic model can be built with craft materials; the electronics are an optional way to motorize the shaking and collect data.
Low-tech model
- Cardboard for a base and building parts
- Straws and pipe cleaners for structural members
- Bottle caps and rubber bands
- Glue or a stapler
- Basic measuring and cutting tools
Sensor-enabled setup
The documented electronics setup lists a micro:bit, BOSON Mainboard 1IO, rotation sensor, motor controller, and geared motor. Mind+ is named for displaying collected data. These components support a motorized shake table and acceleration comparisons; they are not necessary for the ordinary craft-material build.
Rank #2
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The project documentation names the DFRobot BOSON Smart Science Pack – Earthquake Challenge as a fit for the electronics-enabled activity. The lessons also list construction supplies and a micro:bit separately, so check current kit contents and availability before buying; the project pages do not establish what is currently included in a retail pack.
Build and run a fair comparison
- Choose a design question. For example: does adding diagonal braces change how much a frame sways? Decide which single feature you will change.
- Build a baseline model. Use the selected craft materials and record its height, base geometry, and any other dimensions you plan to hold constant.
- Set up the shake table. Assemble the table or use the documented motorized setup. Put the model in the same starting position for each trial.
- Test the baseline. Apply a consistent shaking input as practically as possible. Record visible movement, sway, or damage. With the sensor-enabled setup, use the micro:bit to collect acceleration data and Mind+ to display it.
- Change one feature and repeat. Add braces, change the frame, alter height, or try a suspended weight. Keep other conditions—such as the model materials, starting position, and shaking input—as similar as possible.
- Compare and iterate. Record what changed, including repairs or design revisions between trials. Repeat trials where time and materials allow; interpret results as relative performance in this model and setup.
What to record and compare
A simple results table helps distinguish the design change from the conditions of the test. The project sources do not report standardized laboratory performance results, so the useful outcome is your own controlled comparison rather than a universal ranking.
Rank #3
- Build 20 different models that each teach about force, load, compression, tension and more
- Over 285 interchangeable building pieces
- Includes 36-page, illustrated experiment manual and Assembly guide
- Skill level: Intermediate
| Record | What it helps you interpret |
|---|---|
| Design feature changed | Whether the trial added braces, changed the frame or height, or introduced a suspended weight |
| Height and base geometry | Whether the models were comparable apart from the feature being tested |
| Mass distribution | Where the model’s weight was concentrated |
| Shaking input or frequency | Whether the models received a similar test input |
| Observed sway or failure | How the model moved or whether it was damaged during the trial |
| Acceleration graph, if sensors are used | How recorded acceleration differed between trials |
What the model can—and cannot—show
The documented DFRobot classroom shake table moves along one axis, while natural earthquakes move in three axes. A one-axis test simplifies ground motion so students can focus on a comparison; it does not reproduce every movement a building may experience in an earthquake.
A model’s result depends on its materials, size, construction, and test conditions. It can help students observe relative movement and revise a design, but a small classroom experiment cannot certify a real structure or predict how an actual building will perform. Use “earthquake-resistant model” or “model tested under simulated shaking,” not “earthquake-proof building,” when describing what the activity demonstrates.
Quick Recap
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