Grade 3 Science Pathfinder

In this assignment you will chose a famous structure to research and present. A built structure is a large, human-made construction. It can be a building that is attached to the ground (like a building, bridge or tower) or not (such as a boat or an airplane). You can choose any famous structure from the past or present.
You can also decide if you want to make a 3-D model of the structure, draw a picture of it, write about it and include a photo from another source, do a scrapbook, or make a video or slideshow. This activity is to be worked on at home with help from your family.

You can use books, magazines, websites, and t.v. documentaries to get your information. Your family can help you with your project, but you need to do a presentation about it so make sure you know all the following information:
* why was it built?
* when it was built?
* where it was built?
* what is/was the structure used for?
* how it was built and what materials were used?

There are many famous structures that can be found all over the world. Some of these structures have existed for many, many years while others have been built during modern times. Structures can include such things as buildings, towers, bridges, domes, lighthouses, temples, castles, as well as other structures such as roller coasters and rocket ships. Here is a list of some famous structures from around the world that you can choose to do your project on, or one that you have found on your own.

Great Wall of China
The Taj Mahal
The International Space Station
CN Tower
Casa Loma
Empire State Building
Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Golden Gate Bridge
The Titanic
The Pyramids
Statue of Liberty
Biodome
The White House
The Acropolis
Rogers Centre
The Eiffel Tower
The Colosseum
Sydney Opera House
St. Basil’s Cathedral
Oriental Pearl Tower
Westminster Abbey



Make sure to answer to the following questions in whichever format you choose.

1) When was the structure built?
2) How long did the construction take?
3) Who designed and constructed it?
4) What materials were used to build the structure?
5) Why were those materials chosen?
6) What kind of equipment or special methods did the builders use?
7) Were there any problems with the construction and stability of the structure? If there were problems, what were they?
8) What had to be done in order to make it strong, safe and stable?
9) Why was the structure built?
10) Where is the structure located and why do you think it was built there?
** BONUS: Any other important or interesting information about your structure.

Use the School Library and available resources to help guide your search.
I have made a Pathfinder that includes internet, print, video and search engines to help get you started.

Key Vocabulary:
http://www.sciencetrek.net/vocabstructures.pdf

Websites:
http://www.archkidecture.org/
Archkidecture ~ Information on structures and how to build them.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/
Information on domes, bridges, skyscrapers, dams and tunnels. The site includes interactive engineering labs.

http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jmresources/structures/famous.html#craft
Provides links to many famous structures, architects, and historic buildings.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/skyscraper.htm
Describes and illustrates the construction of skyscrapers.

http://www.exploratorium.edu/structures/index.html
Activities designed to engage children in the design and understanding of structures. A great hands-on site for elementary school children.




Books:
Building Big
Author: Macaulay, David ISBN# 0395963311 PUB DATE: 2000 DEW# 720 MAC

Construction: structures, style and building
Author: Craats, Rennay ISBN# 0739869930 PUB DATE: 2004 DEW# 690 CRA

Extreme Structures: Mega-construction of the 21st century
Author: Jefferis, David ISBN# 0778728587 PUB DATE: 2006 DEW# 624.1 JEF

The Science of Structures
Author: Parker, Janice ISBN# 1930954263 PUB DATE: 2001 DEW# 624.1 PAR

Towers and Tunnels
Author: Kaner, Etta ISBN# 1550742183 PUB DATE: 1995 DEW# 624 KAN

Bridges
Author: Kaner, Etta ISBN# 1550741462 PUB DATE: 1994 DEW# 624.2 KAN

Internet Search Engines:
www.kids.yahoo.com
Yahoo kids search engine
www.Kidsclick.org
Web search for kids by librarians.
(Google Safe Search)
http://www.squirrelnet.com/search/Google_SafeSearch.asp
A Google Search that uses the SafeSearch filter.


Gateway:
http://brookhouse.ednet.ns.ca/library/famous_structures.htm
Links to a variety of websites relating to different structures around the world.

Reference Materials (Online and Print):
http://auth.grolier.com/cgi-libscript/entrypoint.pl?86033
Use the search box or go to other great encyclopedias like the New Book of Knowledge, Multimedia Encyclopedia, the New Book of Popular Science etc.
http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Login?ed=lib&acct=CD24728&tu=%2Fkids%2FHome
Click on World Book Kids and do your search. It is a good general encyclopedia.
www.torontopubliclibrary.ca
Toronto Public Library

Audio Visual Resources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__tX49-_8uQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daTHcQb1qLI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA8uHHtyh3w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtgScSKgBZY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zte_b_kXzJA&feature=related