ERIC Number: EJ782558
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Jan
Pages: 5
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8555
EISSN: N/A
Redefining Earthquakes and the Earthquake Machine
Hubenthal, Michael; Braile, Larry; Taber, John
Science Teacher, v75 n1 p32-36 Jan 2008
The Earthquake Machine (EML), a mechanical model of stick-slip fault systems, can increase student engagement and facilitate opportunities to participate in the scientific process. This article introduces the EML model and an activity that challenges ninth-grade students' misconceptions about earthquakes. The activity emphasizes the role of models as part of the scientific enterprise and the concept of scientific inquiry as a continuing, creative process of explaining natural phenomena. (Contains 4 figures and 4 online resources.)
Descriptors: Creative Teaching, Seismology, Concept Formation, Misconceptions, Natural Disasters, Scientific Concepts, Models, Student Motivation, Student Participation, Grade 9, Secondary School Science, Science Instruction, Inquiry, Geology, College Science, Teaching Methods
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A