Exterior of Museum

Exhibit entrance

"ShakeZone", the most anticipated exhibit at the Riverside County (California) Youth Museum (Kid Zone) was opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on January 17th- the 8th anniversary of the Northridge Earthquake.

The earthquake exhibit, two years in the making, is designed to reach all people in the local community with positive messages about studying the Earth and preparing our buildings and ourselves for future damaging earthquakes. The exhibit is a community resource, a venue for educators, a place for students of all ages, a center for earthquake hazards education, and a replicable model for similar exhibits.

Bonnie Wright, Field Representative of Congresswoman Mary Bono, presented a proclamation and an American Flag flown over the U.S. Capital.

Dr. Chauduri symbolically opened the exhibit. (One of the building owners who have leased the space for $1 a year)

Robert Reitherman, Exec. Director of CUREE and CUREE/Caltech Woodframe Project Manager

The cooperative effort included people from many sectors of the local community as well as SCEC's Jill Andrews and Robert De Groot, KidZone Museum officials Patricia Korzec and Chris Reinhardt, UC Riverside professors Steve Park, Curtis Collins, James Sawyer and Linda O'Neil, and the CUREE-Caltech Woodframe Project Management committee. CUREE is the Consortia of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering.

Major funding for ShakeZone was provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the CUREE-Caltech Woodframe Project. Additional funding was provided by the National Science Foundation and U.S. Geological Survey through SCEC. This funding was augmented by in-kind donations and volunteer efforts from all partners.

Jill Andrews (CUREE/SCEC)

Bob de Groot (SCEC) was interviewed by NBC.

Bob de Groot (SCEC) and John Marquis (SCEC)

"This exhibit is an excellent example of the use of SCEC's outstanding education and outreach program," said James Whitcomb, Section Head within the National Science Foundation's Division of Earth Sciences. "These resources are an important component of the Foundation's mission of science for the public benefit."

Visitors to the museum, primarily children, will become seismic sleuths, scientists, emergency planners, and engineers as they follow the winding path that takes them to each of the three main theme areas of the exhibit. The visitor is on a "mission" to learn as much as possible in order to assist his/her family in the preparation for an earthquake. Taking personal responsibility for safety is the lesson: "I can prepare for earthquakes by learning about how the Earth changes, what happens to my house and other buildings during earthquakes, and how I can help my family make a safety plan."

Dr. Tom Henyey (SCEC) explained the science display.

Engineering Display

Michelle Alves (KidZone) with preparedness display in background.

All ShakeZone activities provided to teachers and museum staff are aligned with educational content standards approved by the State of California Department of Education. These include pre- and post-activities featuring a cross-curricular approach; a supporting website; a guidebook to the exhibit; educator facilitated programs; and professional development programs sponsored by SCEC and CUREE.

Children learn about retrofit options for woodframe structures.

Woodframe building block models of retrofit options.

Preparedness kit contents and "hazard hunt" posters

Exhibit components include interactive displays, such as a series of free-standing models, an earthquake preparedness kit-making venue, and a kiosk with computer simulations, real time earthquake data and information, and educational videos. CUREE has funded a series of shake table models, architectural models, a Northridge Meadows Apartment complex diorama, full-scale floor models of woodframe structural components, and instructional video footage. A 2'x2' shake table prototype and a 6'x6' shake table based on the prototype have been created by engineering students and their professors at UC Riverside.

Aerial photo of Northridge Meadows "Tuck Under Parking" Apartment building, which was severely damaged in the Northridge earthquake.

Scale Model of Northridge Meadows "Tuck Under Parking" Apartment building,

Scale model of "Tuck Under Parking" Apartment buildings with retrofit options.

The Riverside County Youth Museum (www.kidzone.org) is located at 123 S. Carmalita in Hemet, California. Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM, Sunday 12 Noon to 4 PM. School tours and special presentations are scheduled by appointment. Call 909-765-1223 for details.