The KNEX Project

Essential Question:
How can we use information from past earthquakes to design structures that are safer and will protect
people during future earthquakes?

Project Mission:
In partnership with the Society of Civil and Structural Engineers (SCSE) at UCSD, students will compete
in teams of three in their annual KNEX Earthquake Engineering Competition. Teams will build a structure
that will experience a simulated earthquake on a shake table at UCSD. Students will also create detailed
scaled drawings of their structure and calculate a budget. Teams will be interviewed by SCSE members
about their knowledge of engineering, structure design, and earthquakes.

Big Learning Ideas:

Students will know that plates are the size of continents and oceans at move at rates of centimeters per year
in response to movements in the mantle. Students will know that earthquakes are sudden motions along
breaks in the crust called faults. Students will know that major geologic events, such as earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions, and mountain building, results from plate motions. Students will know how to explain
major features of California geology in terms of plate tectonics. Lastly, students will know how to
determine the epicenter of an earthquake and that the effects of an earthquake vary with its size, distance
from the epicenter, local geology, and the type of construction involved.

Cool Words:
Plate Tectonics, Convergent Boundaries, Divergent Boundaries, Transform Boundaries, Faults, P-Waves,
S-Waves, Seismology, Seismograph, Epicenter, Magnitude, Richter Scale, Structural Engineering

Products:
KNEX structure (at least 22 tall with a base no larger than 12x12)
Artistic rendering of KNEX structure (hand-drawn or using SketchUp)
Scaled architectural drawings of the team structure (at least one side view and one representative floor
plan)
Bill of Materials, which is the total building cost and cost per square foot of floor space
Interview: Students will present their structure and supporting documents to SCSE members at UCSD.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge of earthquakes and engineering via a group interview.

Task List & Deadlines:

Task
Phase I
Check Point #1- Earthquakes 101

Tuesday, October 21st

KNEX Structure

Tuesday, October 28th

Architectural Rendering
Check Point #2- Engineering

Due Date

Friday, October 31st

Monday, November 3rd

Scaled Construction Blueprints

Friday, November 7th

Bill of Materials (Team Budget)

Wednesday, November 12th

Interview Prep/Dress Rehearsal

Friday, November 14th

KNEX Competition @ UCSD

Monday, November 17th

Phase II
Check Point #3- Earthquake Safety &
Preparedness
Re-Test & Revised Budgets
Project Reflection

Friday, November 21st

Friday, December 5th
Tuesday, December 9th

Extensions (Choose at least one):

A) Research an engineering career and write an essay that includes job responsibilities, education
requirements, local companies, and salaries.
B) Create a one-minute video about earthquake safety and preparedness.
C) Locate a well-known San Diego building and use Sketch Up to create a 3D rendering