By: Kylen Mills
kmills@cbs4qc.com
Drop, cover and hold on. That's what students all over the Midwest will be doing later today.
The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is an earthquake drill going on Thursday in classrooms across nine states.
CBS 4 went to the Rock Island Center for math and science to find out why they decided to join in.
The drill tells students to get under their desks, cover their heads and hold on if there were an earthquake.
At the center for math and science students sit at tables, so when the principal gives the word they will crawl under the tables and hold on.
Principal Rose Ann Tobey–Brown tells us this is their first time doing an earthquake drill, but knowing Illinois sits on two major fault lines made it an easy choice.
Principal Tobey–Brown says it's important to prepare students for any emergency situation.
"The children never, you never know where they'll be. They might not be here at school; they might be out playing or whatever. It gives them just an idea of what they should do to protect themselves," said Tobey-Brown.
Principal Tobey-Brown also adds that the drill not only prepares the students, but it also peaks their curiosity.
"Some of the children said, you know, so just what is an earthquake? What does it do? How does it feel? So it gives an opportunity I'm sure for the teachers to talk about that as well in the classroom," said Tobey-Brown.
Over half a million Illinois students are set to participate in the drill at 10:15AM Thursday.
