--- title: 7.2.3 description: 7.2.3 Ask questions to identify constraints of specific geologic hazards and evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining the stability of human engineered structures, such as homes, roads, and bridges. image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png --- [![Teacher Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b) [Teacher Login](https://app.knowatom.com/signin) [![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")](https://www.knowatom.com/) # 7.2.3 Ask questions to identify constraints of specific geologic hazards and evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining the stability of human engineered structures, such as homes, roads, and bridges. [![Download a Sample Unit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6) Science & Engineering Practices - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) - [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) - [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) Disciplinary Core Ideas - [Weather and Climate](https://www.knowatom.com/weather-and-climate) - [Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer](https://www.knowatom.com/conservation-of-energy-and-energy-transfer) Crosscutting Concepts - [Patterns](https://www.knowatom.com/patterns) - [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) ## Browse 7.2.3 Lesson Plans Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(39).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/fossils-and-tectonic-plate-motion) ## [Fossils and Tectonic Plate Motion In this unit, students focus on phenomena related to Earth’s ice as they model how glaciers shape Earth’s surface, and investigate how scientists use ice cores to reconstruct Earth’s past climates and environments. In this lesson, students analyze how scientists can use the science phenomena of fossils in rock layers as evidence for past changes on Earth. This page showcases all the components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/fossils-and-tectonic-plate-motion) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/fossils-and-tectonic-plate-motion) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-09-2023-07-36-44-6688-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/engineering-shoreline-barriers) ## [Engineering Shoreline Barriers In this unit, students learn about science phenomena related to ecosystems, studying how all living things interact with and depend on other living things and the environment for survival. In this lesson, students explore how humans can create solutions to protect ecosystems by designing an engineering solution for coastal erosion.This page provides an overview of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/engineering-shoreline-barriers) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/engineering-shoreline-barriers) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-08-2023-08-20-18-3788-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/engineering-rain-harvesting-systems) ## [Engineering Rain Harvesting Systems In this unit, students build on their scientific knowledge about matter, energy, and heat transfer to explore the phenomena of weather and climate. They investigate how the sun powers the global water cycle, which in turn has very local impacts that affect the phenomena of regional climates around the world. They then use that knowledge to figure out and design a technology that solves the problem of drought-related water shortages.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/engineering-rain-harvesting-systems) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/engineering-rain-harvesting-systems) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-08-2023-10-02-53-5067-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/earthquake-resistance-skyscrapers) ## [Earthquake-Resistant Skyscrapers In this unit, students explore forest ecosystems, studying the science phenomena of interactions between living things and the environment. In this lesson, students build on their understanding of how energy affects the growth of organisms by exploring the phenomena of forest food webs, and analyzing how the phenomena of drought can have a ripple effect through the ecosystem. This page showcases all components of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/earthquake-resistance-skyscrapers) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/earthquake-resistance-skyscrapers) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-08-2023-10-02-49-8922-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/engineering-bridges) ## [Engineering Bridges In this unit, students explore how engineers and architects design structures that help human populations survive and thrive in their environment. Students take on the challenges of civil engineers as they design different types of bridges to discover a design that can carry the maximum load. This page highlights the components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/engineering-bridges) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/engineering-bridges) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it. ![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo") Quick Links Resources Sign Up for Our Blog ### Sign Up for Our Blog Connect with Us - - - - © 2026 KnowAtom LLC  •  10 Brady Drive Unit 3   •  Ipswich MA •   01938 USA [DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION](https://www.knowatom.com/do-not-sell-my-personal-information) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.knowatom.com/privacy-policy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.knowatom.com/terms-of-use) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "USA", "addressLocality" : "Salem", "addressRegion" : "MA", "postalCode" : "01970", "streetAddress" : "27 Congress Suite 410" }, "alternateName" : "KA", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "+42.5182274", "longitude" : "-70.8877569" }, "geoRadius" : "150 km" }, "description" : "Next Generation Science STEM Curriculum", "email" : "fvigeant@knowatom.com", "image" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KA-GSD.png", "logo" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Knowatom-2017/Image/logo-1.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.knowatom.com/7.2.3", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "7.2.3 Ask questions to identify constraints of specific geologic hazards and evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining the stability of human engineered structures, such as homes, roads, and bridges." }, "name" : "KnowAtom", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/KnowAtom", "https://twitter.com/KnowAtom", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0rbN0RfqaU1xaISrdVpTA", "https://plus.google.com/110709105138117096940" ], "telephone" : "(617) 475-3475", "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com" } ```