Getting Geotechnical - Korimako (Yr 3-4)
Melanie Roberts — June 20, 2024
To build on our Inquiry learning, Korimako tamariki were lucky to receive a visit from Sean Rees, a Geotechnical Laboratory Research Engineer from the University of Canterbury.
Sean shared his knowledge of the importance of geotechnical engineering in earthquakes. Earthquakes being a topic that students have been researching and finding out information on - from what causes them, to where in the world most activity occurs and why.
Discussions with Sean included what types of material lay right under our feet and how deep they go, to then what happens during an earthquake to structures and things already under the ground (manholes).
Tamariki watched with excitement as the 'shake simulator' turned the ground material into liquefaction and witnessed the structures sinking or floating.
The Korimako students enjoyed asking lots of questions to build on their knowledge.
Thanks to Sean Rees and the University of Canterbury for taking the time to share this valuable learning experience with us, and letting us borrow a 'shake kit' to test our own engineering skills!
