Students use a table-top-sized tsunami generator to observe the formation and devastation of a tsunami. They see how a tsunami moves across the ocean and what happens when it reaches the continental shelf. Students make villages of model houses and buildings to test how different material types are impacted by the huge waves. They further discuss how engineers design buildings to survive tsunamis. Much of this activity setup is the same as for the Mini-Landscape activity in Lesson 4 of the Natural Disasters unit.

Greg discusses his career as a sustainability design engineer. He calls himself a "Green Engineer." He shares his two-fold focus: to create healthier living environments that conserve resources and design systems that make a positive environmental impact. Engineering Your Future shares real stories from young professionals who want to inform and inspire students about in-demand engineering careers.

Students learn about tsunamis, discovering what causes them and what makes them so dangerous. They learn that engineers design detection and warning equipment, as well as structures that that can survive the strong wave forces. In a hands-on activity, students use a table-top-sized tsunami generator to observe the formation and devastation of a tsunami. They see how a tsunami moves across the ocean and what happens when it reaches a coastline. They make villages of model houses to test how different material types are impacted by the huge waves.

Who Builds Big gives students an opportunity to read and explore interviews and career info surrounding the careers that help build everything around us!

Students reinforce an antenna tower made from foam insulation so that it can withstand a 480 N-cm bending moment (torque) and a 280 N-cm twisting moment (torque) with minimal deflection. During one class period, students discuss the problem, run the initial bending and torsion tests and graph the results. During the following class periods, students design, construct and test sturdier towers, and graph the results.

Offers an explanation of what a geometric construction is and what some of the tools are that are used for it, including the traditional straightedge and compass. The site explains how to construct various polygons inscribed within a circle. Includes many links to other MathWorld pages.

ZOOM video segment shows the cast experimenting to see if a several paper cups covered by a piece of cardboard can support the weight of a cast member. [3:03]