This engaging resource pack combines our popular STEM Journal with hands-on investigations and engineering challenges that explore the science of earthquakes. Perfect for Key Stage 2 learners, children will discover how earthquakes occur, investigate plate tectonics, and design earthquake-resistant structures while documenting their seismic journey in their STEM Journal.
Included Resources +
This pack includes six activity sheets with accompanying lesson plans and a STEM Journal for recording earthquake investigations, observations, and engineering designs.
• STEM Journal — interactive notebook for recording earthquake investigations, observations, and engineering designs
• Tectonic Plates Model — create a hands-on model to understand how Earth's plates move
• Tectonic Plates Map — investigate where earthquakes occur around the world and why
• The Richter Scale — learn how earthquakes are measured and compared
• Make A Seismograph — build an instrument to detect and record earthquake vibrations
• Earthquake Resistance Structure Challenge — design and test buildings that can withstand earthquakes
Key Details +
• Year Group: KS2 (ages 7–11)
• Key Stage: KS2
• Subject: Geography
• Resource Type: Activity Sheets + Lesson Plans + STEM Journal
• Format: Instant PDF Download
• Number of Activities: 6
Curriculum Alignment +
Aligned to the KS2 Geography National Curriculum. Covers physical geography — describing and understanding key aspects of earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate tectonics. Develops understanding of seismic activity, how earthquakes are measured, and how humans adapt to natural hazards. Integrates with Science (Year 4 — forces and their effects), DT (Earthquake Resistance Structure Challenge — designing and testing structures), and Maths (Year 3 — The Richter Scale, reading and interpreting data and large numbers).
Teaching Tips +
Earthquake Resistance Structure Challenge is the standout engineering activity — use spaghetti and marshmallows or lolly sticks and tape to build structures, then test them on a tray of jelly to simulate earthquake vibrations. Run it as a team competition for maximum engagement. Make A Seismograph is a brilliant DT build — suspend a pen from a cup on a string over a strip of paper pulled slowly underneath; tap the table to simulate tremors and watch the seismograph record them. Tectonic Plates Model works brilliantly with different coloured layers of playdough to represent the Earth's layers — children can push the plates together to simulate collision and subduction. This pack pairs naturally with the KS2 Volcanoes + STEM Journal for a complete natural disasters unit.
