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Suspension Bridge
Students view a video clip about suspension bridges. They discover what forces support this type of bridge. They build their own suspension bridge using classroom materials.
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France's New Medieval Castle Takes Shape
Students explore how a dream to build a medieval castle came to reality. In this lesson, students read an article about a knight's castle that is being built in France, then complete numerous activities such as a quiz, a debate, a class...
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The Ups and Downs of Technology
Students create a visual timeline of skyscrapers built in the past 20 years. In this physical science lesson, students research important facts about the building. They discuss the challenges architects face when building skyscrapers.
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Paper Towel Structure
Learners investigate technology and its purpose in the workplace. In this geometry activity, students design and build a paper towel structure to investigate motion and forces. They are given a restricted weight and asked to build their...
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The Mag Mile and ... Torque!
Students use paper plates and detailed directions to build a model of the Michigan Avenue Bridge's gear system. By carefully measuring and cutting "teeth" for the gears of the "Gear Train," they create small gear that will intersect the...
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Introduction to Lego Robotics
Learners utilize computer programs to operate a simple robot. In this technology lesson, students create robots using Lego pieces and simple motors to move them. Learners measure the speed of the robots by running Robolab software on...
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Towers of 10
Students complete four worksheets of activities to use cubes to count by 10s. For this counting blocks lesson, students use blocks to count by 10s and complete block counting activities.
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Jell-O-Shakin
Students design a tower made of jell-o. In this science instructional activity, students investigate what it takes to build a jell-o building that will not fall when shaken. They discuss what causes earthquakes and how it is controlled.
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Architecture Makes An Imprint
Fifth graders explore architecture of the world, uses of buildings and discuss architecture as a career. They work in cooperative groups and present their findings to the class. This lesson can be expanded to include a printmaking lesson.
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Creative Clay Houses
Students demonstrate knowledge of working with clay and design and make creative houses and other buildings out of clay.
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Spaces and Places
Pupils identify three-dimensional forms in various buildings and construct three-dimensional paper forms.
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Terraqua Column
Sixth graders create a TerrAqua column. In this ecosystems lesson, 6th graders build a TerrAqua column to conduct investigations on how living things impact the ecosystem.
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Tallest Stack Wins
Students build a stack of pennies as tall as possible, recording the number of pennies they are able to stack before the tower falls. Then, sharing answers, they determine the average number of pennies that could be stacked.
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Introduction to Architecture
Students complete independent studies about famous architects or buildings. In this architecture lesson, students discuss what they know about the subject with their teacher. Students then select European architects and/or structures to...
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The Invention of the Telegraph
Students study the history of telegraph invention. In this technology lesson, students build their own Morse Telegraph System. They discuss how this invention benefits the society.
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Allegheny Portage Railroad: Developing Transportation Technology (23)
Pupils research the innovative technology used in building the Allegheny Portage Railroad, and how it was applied to other projects. They discuss technological change and the effect it has on their lives.
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The Great Wall of China
Students examine the Great Wall of China. In this world wonders lesson, students discover facts about the wall and its construction as they research the landmark. Students build their own replica of the wall in their classroom.
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Higher and Higher: Amazing Skyscrapers
Middle schoolers brainstorm the names of skyscrapers then get into groups and create their own skyscraper. In this architecture lesson students answer questions about their skyscraper after creating one.
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High-rise London
Students read, analyze and critique a newspaper article on how new tall buildings are changing London's skyline. They assess key vocabulary terms within the article, comprehension questions and write out how to design the perfect building.
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Designing for the Future
Students analyze the architecture of the United Architects and Ken Yeang. In this architecture analysis lesson, students explore architecture design for its sustainability, safety, and purpose. Students write an article about one of the...
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Vertical Thinking
Students explore the inventions and innovations of skyscraper engineering as a part of architecture analysis. In this architecture analysis lesson, students research the inventions, innovations, architects, and engineers of skyscrapers....
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Connecting Downtown
Students examine how engineering and design make cities more livable and efficient. They study different types of walkways including elevated and underground walks, and where and why they would be used. They design their own walkway...
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Clay Boats
Seventh graders are given the opportunity to use model-building as a way to help comprehend the forces and phenomena at work in the world around them. They use both successful and unsuccessful models to make inferences, refine...
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Take A Look Around! Architecture and the Built Environment
Learners examine the types of architecture used to build the San Jose Museum of Art. Based on the grade level, they participate and answer questions based on the different pieces of art examined. They also discover how weight is...