The objective of the lesson was to create a structure that could withstand a simulated earthquake. The students could only use marshmallows and toothpicks to create the structure. Once completed, the students placed their structure on a piece of gelatin. The teacher shook the structure to simulate an earthquake. If the structure held, the students sketched their structure on a sheet of paper. If it fell, they had to recommend improvements that would make their structure stronger in the future. The students enjoyed the activity and it was a successful lesson.