Science Club Prep: The Colossus of Rhodes

The Book of Massively Epic Engineering Disasters:
33 Thrilling Experiments Based on History's Greatest Blunders
by Sean Connolly

The Colossus of Rhodes
226 BCE

2021 notes:
The Book of Massively Epic Engineering Disasters

2022 notes & photos:
The Colossus of Rhodes

Preparation:

experiment 1: All Shook Up

two 6 oz pkgs of "family size" Jell-O
must make up gelatin at least six hours in advance

roasting pan

two different lengths of toothpicks (get LOTS of toothpicks)

bag of mini marshmallows

a painting board or tray for each person

masking tape and Sharpie to label boards/trays

experiment 2: Hold That Pose

large cardboard box, opened and laid flat on the grass

bath towel

kitchen chair

Statue of Liberty Book Display

When Jessie Came Across the Sea
by Amy Hest

Watch the Stars Come Out
by Riki Levinson

Emma's Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty
by Linda Glaser

We Came to America
by Faith Ringgold

also

"This Dynamic Planet" map

information on the 1811 New Madrid Earthquake

two Slinkys (to demonstrate seismic waves)

Activities:

read the poem "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus
from Emma's Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty

read "The Colossus of Rhodes" information
from The Book of Massively Epic Engineering Disasters, pp. 1-5

demonstrate P-, S-, and surface waves with a Slinky

do experiment #2 "Hold That Pose"



look at "This Dynamic Planet" map

do experiment #1 "All Shook Up"



look up recent earthquakes near Carbondale IL

learn about the 1811 New Madrid Earthquake

sensory play with gelatin and warm water

Extensions:

If you, like me, mixed up a batch of gelatin that was too thick and didn't wobble, and had to repeat this activity on a different day:

review plate tectonics and address any underlying misconceptions (we are standing on a plate now! there are plates under the ocean!)

use a globe to look at the shape of Africa and South & North America, discuss continental drift

how did the Earth form?

read Older Than the Stars by Karen Fox

make a density jar to show the layers of the Earth (water, oil, honey)

shake up the jar and let the layers settle back out while you repeat the marshmallow/toothpick building activity

Articles & Links:

Slinky Seismic Waves (PDF)

earthquaketrack.com

1811–1812 New Madrid earthquakes

The New Madrid Fault System (PDF)
Saint Louis University Earthquake Center

This Dynamic Planet map from U.S. Geological Survey

Field Trip Ideas:

Buckminster Fuller's Carbondale Dome Home
407 S. Forest Avenue, Carbondale IL

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