Students duck and cover at county museum

Then every kid in sight dove for cover. 

Most in the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands scrambled beneath tables or the chairs they had been sitting in while watching a ShakeOut movie. 

A class of fourth graders from Victoria Elementary School were in the museum's bird hall, on a countdown for the much-awaited earthquake drill that more than 5.2 million Californians participated in this morning.

They crouched under exhibits displaying feathers and eggs, giggling with their friends and whispering reminders to cover their necks. One boy curled up beneath a bench, visibly struggling to keep his legs and arms out of the open. Three girls who didn't move quick enough couldn't find a spot under the exhibits so they buried their heads between their knees and waited.

It was four minutes before their teacher, Suzie White-Gomez, waved them out to safety.

Then the kids turned their attention to the television, where a U.S. Geological Survey video showed the mass destruction to buildings that would likely happen with a 7.8 earthquake. Buildings, crumbled, children cried and firefighters rushed to help.

The room of children stood silent for the first time all morning, their eyes wide and mouths slightly agape.

Seems like the message got through.