Seismic Outreach Program
What is Seismic Outreach?
Seismic Outreach is a semi-annual program that gives UCSD students from all majors the opportunity to reach out to local San Diego 6th grade classes through volunteering and younger students the opportunity to learn about earthquake science and engineering.
This program is held during the Fall and Spring quarters and consists of the following events:
1. Classroom presentations (First few weeks of the quarter): Volunteers take off-site trips to the sixth grade classrooms and supplement their learning about earthquakes and introduce them to the idea of earthquake engineering. The kids are also introduced to a design competition.
2. KNEX Competition (Middle of quarter): Sixth grade students prepare work to bring to UCSD for judging and testing during the UCSD "Field Trips". Sixth grade students prepare the following: a miniature structure of a skyscraper made out of KNEX, basic construction drafts, architectural drawings, and a short presentation of their work.
3. Field Trips (Last few weeks of quarter): The sixth graders join us at UCSD for a half-day event to test their structures on a miniature shake-table, have their structures and documents judged by UCSD students, take a campus tour that includes a tour of our SRMD laboratory, and enjoy some recreational time with games.
This program is made possible through the time and efforts put in by the volunteers. Volunteers aren't expected to have any knowledge of earthquakes in order to help, so everyone and anyone is encouraged to take part in this program.
Why Should I Volunteer?
- The experience looks good on your resume. Employers are impressed with those who participate in outreach programs and reach out to younger students. It shows that they are willing to take on the challenge of working with a difficult group of people and that they are interested in benefitting others at no cost.
- It's fun! People who have volunteered in the past look forward to Seismic Outreach every year because of the great experiences they have had while participating. Not only is it fun for the volunteers who get to interact and play games with the sixth graders, but it's even more fun for the sixth graders, which makes volunteering even more rewarding.
- Meet your peers. Numerous SE and non-SE students volunteer so this is a great and fun way to get to know each other.
- Get a FREE, COOL yellow t-shirt. Every volunteer who participates in the field trip portion gets a Seismic Outreach volunteer shirt!
How do I get involved?
- Volunteer to be a presenter for Classroom Presentations
- Join the Mini Committee: a special group of students that commit some time to help prepare for the UCSD Field Trips by completing specific, small tasks
- Volunteer during the Field Trips to test the structures on our
mini-shake table, interview the sixth grade students, lead campus-tours,
and play games like wiffleball
Field Trip Schedule
Monday, Nov. 9 Twin Peaks Middle School
Thursday, Nov. 12 Twin Peaks Middle School
Friday, Nov. 13 Mesa Verde Middle School
Tuesday, Nov. 17 Gompers Prep Academy
Wednesday, Nov. 18 Twin Peaks Middle School
Times for every date: Tentatively 7AM-3PM
Who do I contact?
If you are interested in volunteering, please email Assistant Outreach Director Kimberly Dotimas at
kdotimas@ucsd.edu with the following information:
Name
Phone Number
Events and/or day(s) and time(s) you would like to volunteer
Seismic Outreach Related Downloads
- Seismic Outreach Presentation
- Seismic Outreach Program Overview (For Teachers)
- Seismic Outreach Packet Example (For Teachers)
