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On Saturday April 30th, the Civil and Environmental Engineering department set up a booth for the Maryland Day festivities. The booth offered children an opportunity to build a structure out of Legos, and place the structure on an earthquake simulator. Strong structures were tested further by placing a weight on top. If the structure could withstand the earthquake and the weight, the children knew they had done a good job.
?They learn how to build stuff. They can appreciate how things are put together in a fun way. Once they see the earthquake platform, it gives them a better appreciation of what an earthquake can do,? Dennis Almeida, a parent whose two young sons were building structures, said.
?The nice thing here is that it?s hands-on, something for the kids to do,? Marriner Merrill, another parent, said.
Towards the end of the day the earthquake simulator stopped working. Parents still encouraged their children to build structures, however, and Dr. Lovell shook the platform with his hands. Overall it was a successful and popular activity, with children reaching for the Lego?s until we finally packed up.
May 2, 2011
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