Mrs. Newman’s Science class worked on a project where they sketched and built skyscrapers that could with stand the elements. Students discussed what helps the building stand and how a foundation is important. They looked up talk buildings they knew of and estimated the height in meters, then compared that to what they measured the Eiffel Tower to be. They then explored different forces of nature on skyscrapers and how to avoid catastrophe using the PBS website http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/lab/loads.html. Students then used graph paper to sketch out their own skyscraper with the intention of building them and testing wind and earthquake against it. After sketching on paper, students used Google Sketchup to draw and gain a better perspective of what the building would look like in 3-D. They discussed within their groups improvements and then built the skyscraper out of toothpicks and marshmallows. Students then tested each building to see which withstood the elements best.
This lesson exhibited what students are capable of when they are engaged and able to exercise creativity. The final product, a marshmallow-toothpick skyscraper, was tested again wind from a fan, and an “earthquake.” Students had a great time with this experiment and our Principal Mrs. Cooper even came to watch the students in action. 
Click here to watch a video of the lesson.
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