There seems to be a bit of confusion over the title “Skyscraper Day.” According to some websites, September 3 is Skyscraper Day, and according to other websites, it's March 27....Hmm, I'm not sure we NEED two Skyscraper Days per year!
(Do we “need” even one?)
Since no
ne of the websites backed up their claim for Skyscraper Day being an actual recognized day, I figure I can choose to celebrate skyscrapers today. Because they are very interesting! - Do you know how skyscrapers are built? If you answered, “From the ground up,” you are right! (They sure aren't built from the top down!) Here is a time-lapse video of a skyscraper being built. Also there are some articles here.
- What country has the tallest skyscraper in the world? Find the answers courtesy of this YouTube video (with VERY dramatic music!).
- What country had the first skyscraper? Find out about the history of skyscrapers from this National Geographic video. (Note: there are five parts!)
- What happens when a skyscraper becomes so old and run down that it isn't safe, or it needs to be replaced? Well, first the demolition experts are asked to come “bring down” the old building, as you can see here.
Skyscrapers aren't
all boring rectangular-box shapes; as a matter of fact, there are many different shapes in modern skyscrapers. Check out the Dubai skyscraper with rotating floors. Then take a peek at the variety of skyscraper shapes shown here. Drawing skyscrapers
Damien from Australia does a great job at making scale drawings! Check out his diagrams for each height range of buildings in the middle of the home page. As one example, here is the "300 m and over" diagram.
Try your hand at creating skyscraper pictures using your computer paint program!
Skyscrapers in our future?
Some architects are looking forward to ultra-safe skyscrapers that are sort of “nested” in a steel mesh. The thing is, robots will be needed to build the skyscrapers.
Some scientists are planning how we can house people in AND grow food on skyscrapers! It's called vertical farming (three vertical farms are shown here, above). Here's another version of the vertical farm. And there are a LOT of different designs here.
Make a model skyscraper - or an entire skyscraper-scape.
Use Legos, or a model-building kit, or boxes and paper and tape and a lot of imagination. Here is a glimpse of some model skyscrapers to get you inspired! (Scroll down.)
Here are some how-to tips.
Here ar
e some amazing Lego skyscrapers. Take the Skyscraper Challenge.
Check it out...if this book is available at your library: Skyscrapers!: Super Structures to Design & Build, by Carol A. Johmann.
Have a happy Skyscraper Day!
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