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Unit 4 WebQuest – Internet Project
Able to Leap Tall Buildings
Introduction
The buildings with the tallest rooftop is the Sears Tower in Chicago,
with a height of 1450 feet. However, the tallest building is the
Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, whose architectural
spires rise to 1483 feet. In this project, you will be exploring how
geometry and algebra can help you describe unusual or large
structures of the world.
The Task
Each student needs to research a large or unusual structure. Then you
need to be sure that your project contains both of the following:


a paper presenting information and facts about the structure
including pictures and/or diagrams of the structure and a
comparison of your structure to some familiar item using a table,
graph, diagram, or other method of showing the comparison
a three-dimensional model of the structure
The Process
To successfully complete this project, you will need to complete the
following steps by these due dates:
STEP 1

Research large or unusual structures either in the U.S. or in
another part of the world. Select one of the structures for your
project. For help, try these Web sites.
www.yahoo.com and search for skyscrapers
www.spaceneedle.com
www.sears-tower.com
www.emporis.com/en/bu/sk/
www.xs4all.nl/~hnetten
www.cnn.com/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/9705/seven.wonders/pyramids.html
www.cntower.ca

Find dimensions and other interesting information for the
structure you select.
On March 12, turn in a written summary of what you have
found about your structure (this is a rough draft, not your final
paper, and will show me that you have made progress on your
project).
STEP 2

Brainstorm about some familiar items that you may want to
use to compare to your structure. Here are some ideas:
How many of my bedrooms would fit on one floor of the
structure?
How many average swimming pools full of water would fill
the structure?
How many people could stand side-by-side around the
perimeter of the structure?

Determine how you are going to show the comparison of
your selected item and some dimension of the structure.
Remember you can use perimeter, area, surface area, and
volume for comparisons.
On March 19, be ready to discuss the familiar item you are
using for comparison and what dimension of your structure you
are comparing it to. I will check with each student individually.
STEP 3

Determine how you are going to build a three-dimensional
model of your structure (what materials are you going to use?
What scale will you use?)
***It is not necessary to spend a fortune constructing this model.
It needs to be neat and reflect good thought, time, and effort, but I
realize that none of you are professional builders and that not
everyone is gifted with artistic talents. Do your best and have fun
with this. Do not wait to the last minute!
On April 6, turn in your completed paper (see rubric below for
required elements) and turn in your completed threedimensional model.
Scoring Rubric (Total points for project: 55)
The Paper (30 points)
Answers any 4 out of 6 of these questions (8 points)

What purpose did or does the structure serve?

What is the history of the structure? For example, how long did it
take to build the structure? Has it been used for different
purposes over its lifetime?

What are special features of the structure? Is it similar to any
previous structures?

Were any unusual methods or materials used in building the
structure?

How are large structures destroyed if they are no longer safe to
use?

What was the cost of the structure?
Includes pictures (at least 4 from different perspectives) (4 points)
Includes the mathematical comparisons between the structure and the
everyday object of your choice (show your work) (10 points)
Spelling and grammar (5 points)
Works Cited in MLA format and MLA heading (3 points)
The Model (25 points)
Neatness and realism (10 points)
Constructed to scale and includes the scale (10 points)
Good detail (5 points)
Kodiak Scholar for this project: Interview an architect or building
designer. Ask whether there is a limit on the height of tall buildings.
What special problems do designers of tall buildings face? How do they
overcome them? Give an example. Include this information in your
paper.