WorksheetPremium

Hazard Choices on the City Bridge Walkway

Compare earthquake and flood solutions for a city bridge walkway using field-journal evidence, model data, costs, and access needs.

Grade 4ScienceInteractive · Printable

Aligned to4-ESS3-2

Buy this worksheet: $1.50

Or unlock every Premium worksheet with Premium

PrintUnlock to print

Answer keyUnlock to see answers

Assign to classUnlock to assign with a class code

What’s included

Single worksheet
Auto-graded online
1 NGSS standard
Printable answer key
15 questions
Classroom-ready

Details

Format: Interactive · Printable
Grade: Grade 4
Subject: Science
Question types: Fill in the blank, Multiple choice, Matching, Circle the answer, Sorting, Short answer

About this worksheet

What students practice

Students compare solutions that reduce the effects of earthquakes and floods on people.
Students use model results, costs, and people's needs to evaluate hazard solutions.
Students support a hazard-safety recommendation with evidence from a field journal and data.

How to use

Read the field journal together, then discuss what each model measured. Have students compare the evidence, costs, and access needs before writing their recommendations.

Curriculum

NGSS standard covered

4-ESS3-2

Compare solutions that reduce the effects of natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods and volcanoes on people.

Preview

OwlSheets.com

Name Date

Hazard Choices on the City Bridge Walkway

Use a field journal and model data to compare ways to reduce hazard effects.

Read the bridge journal

Read Nia's field journal. Use the journal and graphs to answer the questions.

Nia's City Bridge Walkway Journal

Nia kept a field journal while studying the covered walkway on the Harborview City Bridge. The walkway carries people between two neighborhoods. It has signs, benches, and a sloped path. Nia's team wanted to compare ways to reduce harm from earthquakes and floods. Their small models represented one section of the walkway; they did not show every part of a real bridge.

On Day 1, the team put nine loose sign panels on each model and used the same shaking platform setting for every test. They counted panels that fell. They tested a model with no change, one with flexible mounts, and one with braced mounts. Each design was tested three times. On Day 2, the team poured the same amount of water onto each walkway model and measured the water depth at the lowest place. They tested no change, a raised edge, and a drainage grate. Each design was tested three times.

The journal lists the supply costs in points. Flexible mounts cost 3 points, braced mounts cost 2 points, a raised edge costs 4 points, and a drainage grate costs 2 points. The no-change model costs 0 points. A raised edge kept water off the path, but it made a small step at the walkway entrance. A drainage grate left the entrance level. The walkway must remain usable for people who use wheelchairs or strollers.

Nia also wrote about warning plans. During a hazard warning, bridge officials may close the walkway and direct people to another crossing. A plan that protects part of the walkway does not mean people should stay there during an official closure. The team's results can help compare the tested models, but more testing would be needed before choosing a full-size design.