Eruption Architecture

This STEM activity is a classic: build a tower that can survive an earthquake. However, the particulars are, of course, themed to the classical world. Instead of an earthquake, this activity takes the opportunity to explore the geography of the Mediterranean by using Pompeii’s volcanic eruption as the inciting incident in which to shake their buildings. Students are split into groups and given materials, all of which are readily available in a classroom setting. Using the Problem Based Learning Method, they make mind maps to brainstorm the perfect building shape. They are asked to build a temple that will survive the eruption of Pompeii (I put up pictures of Roman temples for them to look at while they worked). Then, shake!

This can be a multi-day or solo student activity. I found it most successful to give the students two days for this activity so they could learn from the mistakes of their first draft and build again.