101 Questions
Domino Skyscraper
Can a domino knock over a skyscraper? An inquiry-based lesson asks learners to calculate the size of domino needed to topple the Empire State Building. Using specific criteria and a geometric model, they find a solution.
Museum of Science
Skyscraper Engineering
The sky's the limit when learning about engineering. Future engineers conduct an activity to learn about forces associated with skyscrapers. They design and build a model of a skyscraper from basic household materials, then test their...
Curated OER
What's Shaking? Three-Lesson Unit
Your young architects use the Internet to research tall structures or sky scrapers to help in the design of their scale drawings. This is lesson one of three in which learners design, build, and test model skyscrapers for seismic safety....
Curated OER
Strong as the Weakest Link
Students apply knowledge of stresses and forces by building model structures. In this force instructional activity, students consider skyscrapers and bridges in the world around them and the stresses that these structures endure. They...
Curated OER
Build the Tallest Building
Students study skyscrapers and how they were constructed. In this tallest building instructional activity students construct a model of the tallest building in the world.
Curated OER
Cubic Unit Models
Fourth graders find the volume of solids. In groups, 4th graders use spinners to determine the dimensions of solids. They construct the shapes, creating a model of the figure Students count the cubes in the model to determine the...
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Concept Attainment Model: Volume and Surface Area
Using a concept attainment approach, learners identify surface area and volume by sorting examples (photos) that depict each concept (positive) from those that don't (negative). Then as a class, they develop definitions of each term...
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Cube-It Conceptual Art
In this cube-it worksheet, 6th graders solve and complete 3 different types of problems. First, they start with a cube and build a step-back skyscraper with a given base. Then, students build four-sided pyramids with cubes. They also...
Curated OER
Balsa Towers
Students build their own tower using concepts from previous lessons. They are given a set of materials to use and general guidelines. They share what they have created with their classmates.
Curated OER
Reach For The Sky
Learners consider alternative designs for a tall building and choose one of their designs to build. As a final step, they design and construct a model of a skyscraper.
Curated OER
Newspaper Tower
Students design and construct a tower out of newspaper using a limited supply of newspaper, tape, and scissors. After completing their designs, they identify which designs can withstand the self-weight of the newspaper tower as well as...
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Strong as the Weakest Link
Learners discover the types of stress that materials undergo. They examine how bridges and skyscrapers are built to withhold the tension. They create their own structure out of marshmallows and spaghetti.
Curated OER
Strong as the Weakest Link
Students recognize that compression and tension forces are important considerations in building structures. They construct their own building structure using marshmellows and spaghetti to see which structure can hold the most weight.
Curated OER
20th Century Architecture
Discover the functional works of art found in everyday life. Modern architecture is the focus of this highly visual presentation. Works from architectural masters such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Frank Gehry, and Le Corbusier are featured. A...
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Listening/Reading Transfer - Guided Reading
Work on predicting and making inferences with Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff. After every few pages, the teacher asks listeners to make predictions of what will happen next. Develop critical reading strategies with your young learners!
Curated OER
Types And Magnitudes Of Earthquakes
Students investigate the concept of earthquakes and the different types of magnitudes. They research the Richter scale and how it is used to measure the intensities of earthquakes. Students then apply the concept by completing a...
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Leaning Tower of Pasta
Students experiment with different structures to determine which ones are able to handle the greatest amount of load using spaghetti and marshmallows. They discuss how engineers design buildings, construct their buildings and complete a...
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Rock Solid
Students investigate the three types of material stress related to rocks. They watch a PowerPoint Presentation, view an online animation of the three types of rock stress, identify the various types of rocks, answer true or false...
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Architecture Beyond the Industrial Revolution
Students learn about well-known international architects and how they influenced the United States.
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Patterns That Grow
Students investigate growing patterns. In this additive patterns lesson, students analyze the core of growing patterns. Students extend additive patterns based on the core.