The Badge Archive

Earthquake Vehicle Build

Fulfills Steps 3, 4, and 5 of GSUSA Brownie Automotive Engineering badge requirements.

Items Needed

  • 1 sample basic vehicle (pre-built)
  • 1 regular ramp for initial movement tests (plain surface, no obstacles)
  • 1 testing ramp and obstacle pan for earthquake conditions
  • Vehicle materials per team:
    • 1 body
    • 4 wheels
    • 2 axles (wooden skewers/dowels and plastic straws)
    • Thin cardboard or cardstock for extra vehicle features
    • Modeling clay, rubber bands, sponges, or hot glue to attach wheels
    • Duct tape, glue, markers, scissors
    • (Optional Material) Foam board or reinforced cardboard for a stronger vehicle body
    • (Optional Material) Rubber bands or sponges near axles for shock absorption
    • (Optional Material) Grip tape or textured materials for better traction

Testing Ramp Setup

  • Place a smooth, sturdy board or surface at a slight incline to create the ramp.
  • Ensure the ramp is long enough for vehicles to roll straight down without obstacles.
  • Position the ramp leading into the earthquake obstacle pan to transition from regular movement testing to rough terrain testing.

Earthquake Obstacle Pan Setup

  • Use a shallow tray filled with rocks, pebbles, or uneven materials to simulate damaged roads.
  • Ensure obstacles vary in size to create realistic rough terrain for testing.
  • Have extra materials nearby for scouts to adjust their vehicle (if needed) after testing.

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 45–50 minutes):

  1. Step 1: Build the Basic Vehicle (10 minutes)
    • Attach axles by taping straws across the bottom of the vehicle body.
    • Connect wheels by inserting skewers through the straws, then securing wheels with clay, sponge pieces, or rubber bands.
    • Test if the vehicle rolls straight and adjust as needed.
  2. Step 2: Strengthen & Customize the Vehicle (10 minutes)
    • Scouts reinforce their vehicle using cardboard or foam board.
    • Add doors, windows, lights, or features to help in rough terrain conditions.
    • Modify wheels using grip tape, rubber bands, or textured materials for better traction.
  3. Step 3: Test for Movement & Rough Terrain Navigation (20 minutes)
    • Roll the vehicle down the regular ramp to check basic movement.
    • Place the vehicle in the earthquake obstacle pan (rocks and debris) to see if it can roll over uneven ground.
    • Adjust the design to improve stability and movement.
    • Scouts should observe and record:
      • Does the vehicle stay stable over uneven terrain? (Or does it tip or get stuck?)
      • Do the wheels grip the ground well? (Which modifications helped or failed?)
      • Does the body absorb impact? (Would adding shock absorption help?)
      • Which changes made movement easier? (Stronger body, textured wheels, reinforced axles, etc.)
    • Recording Methods:
      • Scouts can use a checklist to mark results.
      • Teams can write or draw observations about what happened during testing.
      • They can compare results and suggest improvements based on findings.
  4. Wrap-Up Discussion (5 minutes)
    • Scouts share their test results and review their observations.
    • Each should brainstorm ways to improve their design.

How Engineers Test & Improve Earthquake Vehicles

  • Shock absorption – Engineers test how well vehicles absorb bumps and impacts.
  • Traction & grip – Vehicles need strong wheels to move over debris and uneven terrain.
  • Strong body materials – Some vehicles use reinforced frames to protect passengers from falling debris.

Ways to Improve Designs

  • Stronger materials – Reinforced bodies help vehicles survive rough terrain.
  • Better wheels – Grip tape or textured materials improve traction on uneven surfaces.
  • Shock absorption – Sponges or rubber bands near axles help soften impacts.

Wrap-Up Questions for Scouts

  • What worked best in your design?
  • How would you make it roll over uneven terrain more easily?
  • What do real earthquake rescue vehicles use to stay safe?
Tia Kennard