The Jello earthquake experiment is a great way to learn about earthquakes and how they can affect structures. Also, look at my page Free Earth Science Lapbook & Unit Study Ideas.
It can be used to teach children about the different types of earthquakes.
And use it to teach the causes of earthquakes, and the effects of earthquakes on people and property as well as the importance of earthquake preparedness.
Earthquakes are a natural hazard that can cause widespread damage and loss of life.
They occur when there is a sudden release of energy below the Earth’s surface, which creates seismic waves.
These waves travel through the Earth’s crust and can cause the ground to shake violently.
Earthquakes can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Tectonic plate movement: The Earth’s crust is made up of several tectonic plates that are constantly moving. When two plates collide, one plate may be forced beneath the other, causing an earthquake.
- Volcanic activity: Earthquakes can also be caused by volcanic activity. When magma moves beneath the Earth’s surface, it can create pressure that builds up and eventually causes an earthquake.
- Landslides: Landslides can also trigger earthquakes, especially if they occur in areas with unstable soil or rock.
Look at earthquakes from different viewpoints from measuring them with a seismometer to learning about engineering.
You can build structures that can withstand them with all the activities I have included as well as videos and books.
Of course, we have some cool facts to share while you put together the Jello earthquake experiment.
EARTH SCIENCE BOOKS FOR KIDS
Next, add some fun books to this activity.
When possible I prefer to add living books when I can find them.
9 Books for Kids Who Love to Read About Earth Science Topics
Add these books to your learning day to learn about various earth science topics.
The wonders of plant and animal life told with rare literary charm by Uncle Paul in conversations with three children. Besides such stories as the ants' subterranean city, the spider's suspension bridge, and the caterpillars' processing, he unlocks the mystery behind thunder and lightning, clouds and rain, the year and its seasons, and volcanoes and earthquakes. Suitable for ages 9 to 12.
Some earthquakes are so small that you don’t even feel them, while others can make even big buildings shake. Learn why earthquakes happen, where they are most likely to occur, and what to do if one happens near you.
Now with updated text and art, this classic picture book describes the causes and effects of earthquakes (including a tsunami). This book features rich vocabulary and fascinating cross-sections of mountains, volcanoes, and faults in the earth’s moving crust.
This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. The text and art were vetted by Dr. Roland Burgmann, Professor of the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley.
A republication of the 1958 book by Irene Sevrey with illustrations by Mildred Waltrip, The First Book of the Earth is an elementary level natural history book that was written during a time when children's books held a student's interest and imagination because they were "living" rather than simply based on factoids and vivid pictures. It is a wonderful introduction to the subject of geology and covers the earth as a planet in the solar system and the physics of how it circles the sun, thereby defining our days and years. It then moves on to describing the earth's origin as scientists understand it and takes up the topics of the earth's composition, its structure, molecular makeup, rock families, minerals, volcanoes and earthquakes, mountains and their formation, and how glaciers and rivers affect the shaping of the earth's surface. The book ends by briefly discussing dinosaurs and the possible aging techniques used to date the earth's age in terms of epochs or periods.
This handy identification guide to the most common kinds of rocks and minerals offers concise and fascinating information on:- Physical and chemical properties- Origins and geologic significance- Gems and semiprecious stones- How to find and collect specimens
Beginning with Mt. Vesuvius, whose eruption in Roman times helped spark the science of geology, and ending in a lab in the West of England where mathematical models and lab experiments replace direct observation, Richard Fortey tells us what the present says about ancient geologic processes. He shows how plate tectonics came to rule the geophysical landscape and how the evidence is written in the hills and in the stones. And in the process, he takes us on a wonderful journey around the globe to visit some of the most fascinating and intriguing spots on the planet.
A book about caves with drawings for young readers with a vocabulary list and definition at the end.
A guide to familiar minerals, gems, ores, and rocks enhanced by 400 full color illustrations. Provides much geological knowledge in how to look for surface forms, rocks, minerals etc. Includes information for the searcher and an useful list of clubs and organizations. Excellent bibliography and index.
For Vega and her family, salmon is life. And Vega is learning to be a salmon finder, preparing for the day when she will be her family’s matriarch. But then she and her brother Deneb are separated from their pod when a devastating earthquake and tsunami render the seascape unrecognizable. Vega must use every skill she has to lead her brother back to their family. The young orcas face a shark attack, hunger, the deep ocean, and polluted waters on their journey. Will Vega become the leader she’s destined to be?
A living book on the living earth. Told in a conversational style, the book discusses the topics of geology and provides ideas for investigations and demonstrations of the scientific principles. Illustrated throughout, this book is a favorite as an introduction to geology for young readers. This edition includes updated science information on plate tectonics and the structure of the earth.
Also, look at some facts about earthquakes.
6 EARTH SHAKING FACTS ABOUT EARTHQUAKES
- The point where an earthquake starts is called the focus or hypocenter and the Earth’s surface directly above the focus is called the epicenter.
- Earthquakes are measured using the Richter scale, which ranges from 1 to 10. This logarithmic, meaning that each whole number increase represents a tenfold increase in the amplitude of the seismic waves.
- The largest earthquake ever recorded was a magnitude 9.5 earthquake in Chile in 1960.
- Earthquakes can cause tsunamis, landslides, and other geological hazards which cause buildings and other structures to collapse.
- The deadliest earthquake in history was the Tangshan earthquake in China in 1976, which killed an estimated 242,000 people.
- Earthquakes are most common in certain areas of the world, such as along plate boundaries.
Also, look at these fun hands-on activities.
EARTHQUAKE EXPERIMENT ACTIVITIES
- If you live in an area affected by earthquakes, talk about your plan during an earthquake, just like you would for fires, etc. Put together an earthquake kit with your child to have one hand should you ever need it.
- Try a tasty lesson in How to Make an Edible Kindergarten Earth Science Tectonic Plate Activity to teach younger children.
- Scientific America has simple lesson plans for Earthquake-Proof Engineering for Skyscrapers using LEGO, a favorite tool and toy in one.
- Don’t forget to add in some great books like All About Earthquakes and I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964 for a rich and full learning experience.
- To learn more about the effect in and around the epicenter check out this Earthquake Epicenter Experiment.
- Watch Earthquakes for Kids STEM | Learn why earthquakes happen and how to measure them.
- Not only can you make your own model of an earthquake measurement device but you will find 10 Hands On Earthquake Activities | How To Make A Model Seismometer.
- Check out this simple earth Science experiment on Plate Movement, Earthquakes to simply demonstrate the effects of earthquakes.
Finally, look at this fun Jello earthquake experiment.
JELLO EARTHQUAKE EXPERIMENT
You will need:
- 1 box of Jello
- 1 clear container
- small objects, such as toy cars, buildings, or trees
- A spoon
- Mini marshmallows
- toothpicks
First, prepare the Jello according to the package directions.
The Jello represents the ground which moves during an earthquake.
Pour the Jello into the clear container and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Once the Jello is set, place the small objects on top of it.
Use the spoon to gently shake the container.
Observe what happens to the Jello and the small objects.
As you shake the container, the Jello will begin to jiggle and wobble.
This is similar to what happens to the ground during an earthquake.
The small objects on top of the Jello will begin to move and may even fall over.
This is because the earthquake waves are causing the ground to shake.
Now, our goal is to build a structure from marshmallows and toothpicks that will hold up to that movement.
Have your learner design and construct buildings out of toothpicks and marshmallows, allow this to be an open ended activity so they can work out for themselves which holds up better- a shorter or taller structure? A square or a more tapered one? At which height is the structure no longer stable?
Offer different sized toothpicks and marshmallows to give your child more variety for building.
Be sure to have your child record their findings in their science notebook from the variables to the results of the jello earthquake experiment.
