IRIS Seismographs in Schools Program

The IRIS Seismographs In Schools program is funded by NSF and distributes about 30 AS-1 seismographs per year. Since 2000 over 140 AS-1's have been given out to K-12 schools, science centers and organizations, and universities. The IRIS Seismographs In Schools program, funded by NSF, provides simple seismographs (the AS1) capable of recording earthquakes from around the world. Students can analyze data from their seismograph and from other schools to determine the magnitude and locations of earthquakes.

 

Near-real-time recordings of the school seismograph can be displayed on a Web site. IRIS distributes up to 30 AS1 seismographs per year, and over 100 AS1s have been given out to K-12 schools, science centers and organizations and universities.

 

The IRIS Seismographs is Schools program is part of the US Educational Seismology Network (USESN) initiative. The USESN is comprised of universities and other groups engaged in seismology education. The goals of the USESN include promoting the classroom use of educational seismographs and seismic data and disseminating hands-on curricular materials and educational services.

Application for Participation
To be considered for the Spring 2007 distribution of 15 seismographs, educators need to submit an application by April 30, 2007. Applications will be processed by the end of May. Successful schools will be expected to send one teacher to a 2.5 day training workshop (date and location TBD) that will cover the basics of setting up and using the seismograph, an overview of associated software, instruction in how to manipulate and analyze seismic data, and methods of sharing data locally and across the country. IRIS will cover the travel and accommodation costs for the workshop, which will be held in the eastern US. The seismographs will be mailed to you after the workshop.

For more information, see:  http://www.iris.edu/edu/AS1.htm