Curated OER
Paper Towel Structure
Students investigate technology and its purpose in the workplace. In this geometry lesson, students design and build a paper towel structure to investigate motion and forces. They are given a restricted weight and asked to build their...
Curated OER
Fantasy Faces: Gargoyles
Students create gargoyles out of paper mache. Instructions for making paper mache pulp are included.
Curated OER
Building Straw Towers
Students apply their knowledge of technology to help them build. In this science and technology instructional activity, students build straw towers and investigate the strength and form of the structure. They analyze the best design the...
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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.
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Building Blocks
Students study the relationship between landscape and building architecture. For this landscape architecture lesson, students examine the proposals for a new school building, and select the proposal they think is the best. Additionally,...
PBS
Kinetic Sculpture
Build a sculpture that moves on its own; no power source required! The second installment of a five-part series has individuals create a sculpture that moves with the wind. It can't topple over though, so some type of support is necessary.
Roads to Success
Introduction to Team Building
What can working in a group trying to build the tallest tower possible using only tape and drinking straws get you? A great opportunity for developing collaborative team-building skills!
Curated OER
Towers
Sixth graders study the different methods to build a shake table. In this earthquake lesson plan students build their own shake table and experiment with their own structure design.
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Tower Challenge
Students are given a problem to solve which is to construct a "Cost-effective" tower which supports a designated load. They work in teams to devise plans to create a tower capable of holding a standard brick using index cards.
Overcoming Obstacles
Finding Solutions
Middle schoolers apply all they have learned in the Problem Solving module by participating in a contest to see which group can build the tallest tower using only sheets of paper and masking tape.
Curated OER
Skyscrapers from New York to California
Third graders use an online database to gather information on skyscrapers. Using the information, they choose one building and record its height and location. In groups, they design a city skyline including the skyscraper they choose....
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Shadows and Skyscrapers
Eighth graders explain the relationship between the position of the sun, a city's latitude and shadow length. Ratio's, geometry, and algebra are used to determine the shadow lengths and building heights. A sun angle (altitude) charts to...
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Built To Last
Students face the challenges of building big, functional structures, like bridges, domes and skyscrapers. They turn their talents to satisfying clients who have hired them to design their new home.
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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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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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3D Houses
Students construct 3-dimensional structures from 2-dimensional paper. They design and compile their structures to resemble a neighborhood community.
Federal Reserve Bank
On the Court with... Michael Jordan
Pupils learn foundational economic concepts and consider the importance of decision-making, how to evaluate choices and alternatives, and the benefits of consistent training and practice by learning about the early life of Michael Jordan.
Curated OER
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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Spaces and Places
Pupils identify three-dimensional forms in various buildings and construct three-dimensional paper forms.
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Tallest Stack Wins
Learners 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 instructional activity, students discuss what they know about the subject with their teacher. Students then select European architects...
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Higher and Higher: Amazing Skyscrapers
Learners 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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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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Earthquake Shake Table
Young scholars build an earthquake shake table. They design and build the table and test their completed structures using sandbags.