Build a Tall Tower

Thoughout the ages, people have been trying to build the "tallest" building or structure in the world. Today, strong metals such as steel allow people to make taller and taller buildings and structures. Sometimes a building or structure is designed to be tall to make it seem important? Can you think of any other reasons why people make tall buildings?

In this activity, you will be challenged to build the tallest structure possible with a minimum amount of materials. You've probably tried to do this before yourself with playing cards or some other material. If so, you've had some practice and should find this challenge pretty easy.




	Thoughout the ages, people have been trying to build the "tallest" building or structure in the world. Today, strong metals such as steel allow people to make taller and taller buildings and structures. Sometimes a building or structure is designed to be tall to make it seem important? Can you think of any other reasons why people make tall buildings? In this activity, you will be challenged to build the tallest structure possible with a minimum amount of materials. You've probably tried to do this before yourself with playing cards or some other material. If so, you've had some practice and should find this challenge pretty easy.

	Materials You Need: A package of colored toothpicks and Model Magicmodeling compound (from Crayola). The Project: Before you begin, cover the table you're working on with newspaper. Decide on the number of toothpicks you'll use to build your structure (50 is a good number). Take out some of the Model Magicfrom the package and reseal it. Create a number of small balls out of the modeling compound to get started. These will serve as "joints" as you build your structure out of toothpicks. Your challenge is to build the tallest self-supporting tower possible with the materials you have in front of you. (A toweris a tall structure that is usually narrow.) To be a good architect, you need to design a structure that is both sturdy and visually attractive. It should stand on its own and be interesting to look at. In planning your tower, try and create a "unified" structure by repeating elements or shapes in your design (such as a triangle). Before you begin, it's a good idea to try and visualize the finished tower in your mind. Work slowly as you build your tower. From time to time, stand back from it and even walk around it. Remember that your tower is three-dimensional and it should look good from all sides. When you've finished building your tower, let the modeling compound air-dry for awhile before trying to move the structure. Judge how well you did by the height you achieved as well as by the appearance and the stability of the structure. Want to Do More? Try building the tallest self-supporting tower you can out of newspaper or some other material. If your working with friends or classmates, make it a contest to see who can build the tallest tower?

	For inspiration and to learn more about famous tall buildings, structures and towers around the world, visit these Web sites: Visit the Official Web Site of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. See and learn about famous buildings and structures around the world at Great Buildings Online. Visit the Official Web Site of Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. Explore large structures and what it takes to build them with Building Big.™ Explore the High Rise Pages which has information and pictures of tall buildings and structures from all over the world. Finally, take your art to new heights with Carmen Chameleon's Introduction to Architecture. To learn more about Sam Rodia and his Watts Towers, read "Something Nice to See" by Theodore Roosevelt Gardner and illustrated by Peter Hamlin. Santa Barbara, CA: Allen A. Knoll, Publishers. 1994. (ISBN 0-9627297-6-0). For teachers and parents, read "The Los Angeles Watts Towers" by Bud Goldstone and Arloa Paquin Goldstone. Los Angeles: Getty Conservation Institute. 1997. (ISBN 0-89236-491-2)	20-inch tower made from a 9x12-inch sheet of paper.


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