Earthquakes Station Lab - MS

This modular, student-led station lab provides middle school students with an interactive way to investigate what causes earthquakes and to compare the differences between an epicenter and a focus. Students rotate through multimodal stations that blend hands-on activities, digital tools, and written responses, ensuring active engagement while allowing them to take ownership of their learning.

The lab is designed to save teachers time with ready-to-use materials while promoting student independence. Teachers act as facilitators, guiding learning without needing to direct every activity.

Note for Texas teachers: This resource aligns with the 2017 TEKS but will not be updated for the 2021 standards.

Structure & Differentiation

• Nine stations total: eight core activities plus a challenge station for early finishers

• Differentiated design supports a wide range of learners

• Includes station signage, task cards, readings, and resources for implementation

• The Explore It! station may require simple materials commonly found in science classrooms

Students can complete the lab individually or in small groups, depending on classroom needs.

Station Breakdown

Input Stations (building understanding):

• Explore It! – Hands-on demonstration (digital version includes drag-and-drop in PowerPoint or Google Slides)

• Read It! – Differentiated passages (English & Spanish) with comprehension and vocabulary questions

• Research It! – Guided online activity with structured tasks and follow-up questions

• Watch It! – Short video with reflection and discussion prompts

Output Stations (demonstrating knowledge):

• Organize It! – Categorization and card sort activities (printable and digital options)

• Illustrate It! – Drawing/sketching earthquake models to support visual retention

• Write It! – Short-answer writing prompts requiring complete sentences

• Assess It! – Task cards and vocabulary-in-context activities to measure mastery

Bonus Station:

• Challenge It! – Enrichment activities such as puzzles, games, and mini-projects for early finishers or advanced learners

Flexible Implementation

This lab is designed for both in-person and virtual learning. Files are fully compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, making it easy to adapt for a variety of classroom environments.

This is a finished product; it will be updated with formatting or corrections as needed. Future improvements and new features will be sold as a separate product.