Activities, experiments & school projects

Here you will find a collection of excursions, activities and experiments for school lessons as well as ideas for school projects and Matura theses on the subject of earthquakes.

As part of the seismo@school programme in Switzerland, HES-SO Valais-Wallis has developed a simple, homemade seismometer. With this device, it is easy to understand how a seismometer works in a hands-on way.

The model can be assembled in a short time and used directly in the classroom. It is also an excellent class project – for example, pupils can improve individual parts or adapt the data acquisition system (Arduino) in computer science lessons.

Ordering

Are you a teacher in Switzerland and would like to receive a kit for building a homemade seismometer? As part of seismo@school, we provide such kits free of charge. Please send an email to: seismo_at_school[at]sed.ethz.ch.

Materials and construction

If you would like to build the seismometer yourself:

  • The parts can be produced with a 3D printer.

  • The electronic components are available in shops or online.

Documents

All documents for the Homemade Seismometer can be found here:
Download documents

Video tutorial

The video shows step by step how to assemble the seismometer.

Go to video tutorial (available in German and French)

 

Picture for Homemade seismometer

There are many exciting questions related to the topic of earthquakes that are suitable for a Matura thesis or school projects:

  • Major earthquakes around the globe (current, historical)
  • Analysis of aftershocks
  • Seismic swarms
  • Noise level fluctuations (day/night and weekday/weekend)
  • Machine-generated noise
  • Site amplification effects throughout the school network
  • Programming and exercises, e.g., for waveform visualization
  • Social perception of earthquakes
  • Geothermal energy
  • ... and many more!

Whenever possible, we support Matura thesis projects and school projects with our expertise. Feel free to send inquiries via email: seismo_at_school[at]sed.ethz.ch.

focusTerra –  das Earth & Science Discovery Center der ETH Zürich

Earthquake Prevention Learning Center in Sion (CPPS)

TecDays: For Swiss secondary schools

Scientifica: Largest science festival from the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich

GEOL: Geological excursions in western Switzerland