Building Science Resource Library
The Building Science Resource Library contains all of FEMA’s hazard-specific guidance that focuses on creating hazard-resistant communities.
You can search for a document by its title, or filter the collection to browse by:
- Topic: High winds, flood, earthquake, etc.
- Document Type: Brochure, report, fact sheet, infographic, etc.
- Audience: Building professionals & engineers, individuals & homeowners, teachers & kids, etc.
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This catalog includes FEMA’s natural hazard-specific guidance that focuses on creating hazard-resistant communities conveniently in one place. The publications are organized by primary hazard (earthquake, flood, high wind, multi-hazard, and other) and then by stakeholder groups.
This PDF contains download options for the Earthquake School Hazard Hunt Video Game for Mac or PC, plus the informational poster.
The game engages young children to learn about earthquake hazard mitigation. Presented in the form of a school hazard hunt, players will be transported into an animated school in which they will be asked to choose a character, pick their desired room, and identify hazard within the room for tickets. Due to the target audience’s age group, the players will be asked to identify the hazard and then identify which tools can be used to mitigate the hazard. By being shown how to mitigate hazards visually, it is believed that they are more likely to retain the information and understand complicated concepts. If engaged properly, students will learn tips and tricks about how to prepare for an earthquake while at school. The goal is to show children that if properly prepared, damages caused by earthquakes can be lessened or avoided.
This publication features practical and low-cost techniques to make child care facilities safer in the event of an earthquake, whether they are based in a home or a larger facility. The publication offers tips for conducting earthquake drills and includes a checklist of supplies to keep on hand in an emergency kit.
This poster (17-inches by 22-inches) is intended for classroom use and updates a previous edition. The poster depicts a teacher and students in a classroom responding appropriately to the first sign of an earthquake (Drop, Cover, and Hold On).
This updated publication provides elementary school teachers with ready-to-use, hands-on activities that explain what happens during an earthquake, how to prepare for earthquake shaking, and how to stay safe during and after an earthquake. Included are a variety of handouts for students, including maps, songs, “hazard hunt” worksheets, and earthquake safety checklists.
This teacher’s package for grades K-6 provides ready-to-use, hands-on activities for students and teachers on the science of earthquakes and earthquake safety. This edition contains assessments throughout the units, matrices linking activities to the National Science Education Standards, and a new glossary. Four of the five units are divided into levels by grades: Level 1, for grades K-2; Level 2, for grades 3-4; and Level 3, for grades 5-6. The lessons introduce how earthquakes are defined, why and where earthquakes occur, the physical results of earthquakes, and how earthquakes are measured. The fifth and final unit addresses earthquake safety and survival and includes activities for students in all grades K-6. At the end of each unit, ready-toreproduce masters are provided for classroom use.
his package provides middle and high school teachers with information about the causes and effects of earthquakes. Activity sheets for students and background materials for teachers are provided in each of the volume’s six units. The units assess students’ knowledge about earthquakes and provide information about preparedness and emergency management; discuss the causes of earthquakes, including crustal stresses and the earth’s structure, and their effects; present information on seismic waves and the development of seismology and instruments used to measure an earthquake’s magnitude; explain the effects of earthquakes on buildings and earthquake-resistant design techniques; and discuss earthquake preparedness and the reactions of different populations to historical earthquakes. The last unit provides a variety of summary and assessment activities and additional resources.
This storybook for children in grades 3-6 relates the adventures of the safety-conscious mayor of Shakeyville (Terry the Turtle) and a group of safety volunteers who meet with students at the local elementary school to teach them about earthquake safety. The students discover the importance of earthquake safety and preparedness. Included are suggestions for creating a disaster kit, illustrations of what to do if an earthquake happens (Drop, Cover, and Hold), and a list of resources.