Earthquake education

As the search continues for survivors of yesterday’s earthquake in central Italy, it can be hard to concentrate on schoolwork. You might find it an appropriate moment to set aside your planned lessons and examine instead the science involved in this natural disaster.

You could monitor the after-shocks of this or other earthquakes from the safety of your classroom, or learn how earthquake-proof buildings are designed and tested. With a bit more time, you could even recreate an ancient Chinese seismograph, or build a modern seismograph from scrap materials.