In Mr. Hartman's class, the students participate in Project-Based Learning (PBL). A project motivates students to gain knowledge independently, and thus they remember it longer. Projects give students the chance to apply the skills they learn in school to personally relevant and real-world situations. Students also learn various other 21st century skills in PBL, such as how to think critically, solve problems, collaboration, and make presentations. These skills will help students succeed in the future, both in school and in today's work world. The driving question of this PBL was the following: What is the best way to create an earthquake resistant structure? The 8th grade common core standards addressed in this PBL are Earth and Space Science: Physical Earth (ESS) and Physical Science: Force and Motion (PS). The ESS standard focuses on the physical features of the Earth and how they formed. This includes the interior of Earth, the rock record, plate tectonics and landforms. The PS standard focuses on forces and motion within, on and around the Earth and within the universe.