This teacher package for grades 7-12 takes a broad approach in preparing students for earthquakes. "Hands-on/minds-on", inquiry-driven activities are balanced by library research and visits with disaster planning officials. Emphasis is placed on cooperative learning and the constructivist approach to teaching. Students not only study the causes of earthquakes but also study building construction and forces that damage buildings, then construct model buildings to test their knowledge. Students explore how their community prepares for emergencies and how it is empowered with tools to bring about change in community disaster preparedness. Some activities are interdisciplinary. Each unit section contains an overview of the contents and package layout. Each unit in turn has an introduction that gives specific information on the unit content. Lessons and activities include complete procedures, material lists, and master pages for the students. Unit 1 contains the introduction that serves as a foundation for the other units by pre-assessing student knowledge of earthquakes and hazards preparedness. Unit 2 covers causes of earthquakes, geologic time, and side effects of earthquakes. Unit 3 explores the science and history of seismology. Unit 4 covers building design and how earthquake forces act on various designs. Unit 5 focuses student attention on earthquake preparedness. Unit 6 offers a variety of summative and assessment activities. (PVD)