The CRCD project (EEC 0088130), "Interactive Web-Based Experimental and Computational Learning Environments for Earthquake Engineering Research and Education" is a multi-disciplinary collaborative effort between researchers from the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), Caltech, and the Berkeley NEEDS education center. The project engages students in a stimulating and informative "fun" educational environment.

The basic goal is conveyed simply by paraphrasing the words of a young 5th grade student being interviewed after participating in a demonstration roller-coaster construction experiment. She said:

"It's fun, because I get to do it hands on, and we get to find out things for ourselves"

The project employs Internet web-based technologies to allow for real-time video monitoring, control, and execution of experimental research efforts in earthquake engineering (Tele-observation and Tele-operation). Such efforts include dynamic tests of actual large buildings, large shake-table earthquake experiments, and centrifuge geomechanics tests. Course modules are being developed to incorporate these unique experiments and associated computational-simulation codes at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Appropriate quantitative instructional measures are being employed to dictate the direction and achieve the most effective educational goals. On the national scene, dissemination is underway through the three US national earthquake centers (PEER, MAE, and MCEER).