SHAKING UP INDIANA SCIENCE EDUCATION

Like many state surveys and university departments, the Indiana Geological Survey (IGS) receives requests to provide educational opportunities for K-16 audiences focused on the science of earthquake hazards and emergency preparedness. Content delivery methods are typically limited to presentations, printed and online publications, and exhibit display booths. None of these schemes, including interactive building and liquefaction models, provides students with an adequate perception of the shaking intensities produced by earthquakes of different magnitudes. As a result, students are left to rely on their experiences of often infrequent, low-magnitude earthquakes, leading to complacency and poor comprehension of the potential energy of stronger events.

In partnership with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, the IGS launched a unique addition to our outreach program in 2012: The Quake Cottage—a mobile earthquake simulator (25 x 8 x 14 ft) capable of creating intense shaking that mimics earthquake magnitudes ranging from approximately 3.0 to 8.0. This simulator is one of only three units in the United States. The interior of the simulator is designed to replicate a typical living room and demonstrates the effectiveness of preparatory measures to protect lives and prevent damages to personal property. A large viewing window allows audiences outside to view the participants while the simulator is in operation. In addition, each simulator outreach event is augmented by traditional content delivery of presentations, publications, and exhibit displays.

Since the inception of the Quake Cottage, the number of annual earthquake-related outreach requests has increased over 700 percent from a previous high of 11 in 2011 to more than 80 in 2013. Over 11,000 participants, mostly K-16 students, have participated in the program in the last two years.