The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa doesn't lean as much as it used to. Why it did, and why it doesn't as much as it used to, is the focus of a short film that reveals the engineering behind the construction and the various efforts over the centuries to straighten the tower.

Concepts

engineering, engineering design, civil engineering, engineering practices, mechanical engineering

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• After the video, have groups play Jenga, the game featured in the video, and then discuss the engineering principles features in the game

Classroom Considerations

• The video suggests that engineers worked to reduce but not eliminate the tilt; have class members investigate the reliability of that information and the current status of the tower

Pros

• By using the game of Jenga to represent the efforts of early engineers, the animations engage viewers

Cons

• None