Shaky Seismographs

After learning about Earthquakes, Year 3 wanted to make their own seismographs, an instrument that measures motions of the ground. It is a tool scientists use to record earthquakes and measure their strength.Year 3 children used a large box fastened with a cup hanging by two pieces of strings, so the cup hung down inside the box. They poked a hole in the center of the bottom of the cup and pushed a marker through the hole. They filled the cup with coins or pebbles and cut a long paper strip to pass through across the box. Children all enjoyed creating their own classroom earthquakes by shaking the tables and observing their seismographs in action!