The Earthquake The Earthquake ProjectProject

A Helping HandA Helping Hand

• The Chinese government, along with various governments around the world, has donated supplies and money to countries devastated by recent Earthquakes

Figure 1: Destruction caused by the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti,

January 12, 2010

The Chinese government is concerned about earthquakes as well. On May 12th, 2008, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake devastated Sichuan province (figure 2) 69 000 people died

Figure 2: A Chinese student sits at his desk where the Sichuan Earthquke caused extensive damage to his school

China is convinced that more earthquakes are likely to strike the country. They want their citizens, and in particular young people, to learn about the science and dangers of earthquakes.

Figure 3: An earthquake occurring in

China, flattened the landscape. This earthquake killed 243 000 people

• They have contacted Dalian Maple Leaf school and asked if we could create an informational booklet to present to students in China.

• Mr. Arca said “Of course”

• <BRING BRING>• Mr. Arca “Hello”• Chinese Prime minister Wen Jiabao : Ni Hao, wo

shi…• Mr. Arca: Excuse me, I’m sorry but I don’t

understand!• Prime Minister: Of course, I’m sorry. This is the

Prime Minister of China calling. I understand that you are a science teacher.

• Mr. Arca: Why, yes I am.• Prime Minister: How would you like to make

******* RMB (amount deleted from conversation)• Mr. Arca (eyes bulging wide): You’re kidding? of

course! What would I have to do? • Prime Minister: Make an informational booklet.

That’s it!• Mr. Arca (faints with ecstasy): <no answer>• Prime Minister: Hello, are you still there?

The objectives:

• You need to create the greatest informational booklet….EVER!

• It must be at least 10 pages!• You must talk about the science of Earthquakes

including:– What causes them (discuss plate tectonics and

plate boundaries)– Where cities are most likely to be hit with an

earthquake and which are not. – A short history of earthquakes in China– What is the Richter Scale– The devastative powers of Earthquakes!– Earthquake safety procedures

• Images must be included in the informational booklet

• All booklets are due January 21st

Chinese Prime minister Wen Jiabao : <Quite concerned> Are you still there?

Mr. Arca: <wakes up> Yes, we’ll do it!!

Prime Minister: You must understand however, that we have contacted other school teachers. We will award the prize to the winning teacher

Mr. Arca: We’ll win! We’ll win! I promise!

Prime Minister: Of course, I have every confidence in your students. I hear they are some of the brightest in the country!

Mr. Arca: Yes! Yes!