Design+a+Skyscraper

= **Design a Skyscraper** = Design a skyscraper. A local developer is sponsoring a contest: Design a skyscraper for Eau Claire, Wisconsin’s newest development. The owner’s visualize a design that will express the unique qualities of Eau Claire. They also expect it to be fun for visitors to the Chippewa Valley.

Use at least 3 shapes pulled into volumes and combine them to make an inventive skyscraper. Pull the volumes into at least 3 different heights. Add windows and doors. Select colors and materials. As a final step, scale your model to a skyscraper size. Make your door 6 or 8 or 10 feet so that a person can enter it.
 * Requirements:**

**Skyscraper History and Background**
Watch **BIG**, David McCauley’s video about the first skyscrapers.

Read Skyscraper Basics. @http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/skyscraper/index.html


 * History Questions:**
 * 1) What part of a Gothic Cathedral helped medieval builders build bigger?
 * 2) In what year was the first modern skyscraper built?
 * 3) What was the name of the first skyscraper?
 * 4) Where was it built?
 * 5) Who built it? (What was the name of the engineer?)
 * 6) What invention was necessary before modern skyscrapers could be built?
 * 7) Why was that important?
 * 8) What is the tallest building in the United States?

Bonus!!! What is the tallest skyscraper in existence today? (Hint this website is based on a video made in the year 2000.)

@http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/skyscraper/skyforce.html Be sure to explore the Loads, Shapes, and Forces Labs: @http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/lab/loads.html
 * Science:** Understand the forces that work on skyscrapers.

1. Describe one problem in building tall. Explain how an engineer or architect can design the building to overcome the weakness. 2. What is the strongest shape in building? (Hint, try the shapes lab.)
 * Science Questions:**

Now Take the **Skyscraper Challenge.** @http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/skyscraper/challenge/index.html Check out other parts of this web site. @http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/skyscraper/index.html

Other web sites: @http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2004/tallbuildings/index_f.html

The Magic School Bus: Under Construction @http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnMIg4EHnEY

Bill Nye the Science Guy: Architecture Music video Making Plans @http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQSxgYvCbhU

Bill Nye: Architecture Season 5, Episode 4 @http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Cx0TG34FU

United Streaming : Bill Nye: Skyscrapers - you need a password from a school account. @http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=EB2369A7-FD0C-4D91-B19F-F3061CA23D85&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

Bill Nye: Structure @https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyX6syoX6Vs at 10:40 a kid making a bridge from straws

Engineering: Bridges and houses. Activities for 7th Grade @http://www.weston.org/schools/ms/MCAS/DesCon7.htm