What makes a building stand up? How do builders decide which materials to use during construction? How can materials contribute to a more sustainable house?

Students act as carpenters and use power screwdrivers to assemble an 8 x 11’ house from the ground up. While building, they learn about the hidden features that support buildings foundations, wall frames, and trusses. Once the floor is completed, the walls are raised, and the roof secured, students can go inside the house and see firsthand how their hard work has paid off! A variety of building materials are presented and discussed throughout the program to introduce students to sustainable “green” building choices. They weigh the pros and cons of building materials and explore how to select a material based upon factors such as strength, durability, appearance, cost, availability, and environmentally-friendly qualities.

This program meets content standards for science, social studies, technological literacy, and visual arts. This program does not come with an Educator Resource Packet.

How does the layout of a city reflect the beliefs and values of the people who live there? What part does each of us play in creating a livable city?

Students are introduced to the variety of forces and people that shape communities. They identify and prioritize real problems a city faces such as traffic, pollution, and waste disposal, and explore zoning issues. While designing their own model city out of colorful supplies and recycled materials, students come to understand the complexity of issues associated with planning a modern city and learn how they can contribute to improving the quality of life in their community.

This program meets content standards for social studies, language arts, technological literacy, and visual arts. This program comes with an Educator Resource Packet that includes pre- and post-visit lessons and information.

How does the layout of a city reflect the beliefs and values of the people who live there? What part does each of us play in creating a livable city?

Students are introduced to the variety of forces and people that shape communities. They identify and prioritize real problems a city faces such as traffic, pollution, and waste disposal, and explore zoning issues. While designing their own model city out of colorful supplies and recycled materials, students come to understand the complexity of issues associated with planning a modern city and learn how they can contribute to improving the quality of life in their community.

This program meets content standards for social studies, language arts, technological literacy, and visual arts. This program comes with an Educator Resource Packet that includes pre- and post-visit lessons and information.

What is a geodesic dome? Why is this structure architecturally significant?

American inventor, engineer, and architect R. Buckminster Fuller may be best remembered for developing the structurally-innovative geodesic dome, which has been called, “the strongest, most cost-effective structure ever devised.” Students learn how engineering principles are used to support different structures and how Fuller’s interlocking systems of triangles are used to construct domes that distribute stress and weight in the most economical way possible. Students work together to construct a 6.5 x 13’ geodesic dome in the Museum’s Great Hall and apply what they have learned by assembling their own, simple “geo” balls.

This program meets content standards for math, science, social studies, and technological literacy. This program comes with an Educator Resource Packet that includes pre- and post-visit lessons and information.

What are patterns and how are they used to decorate and construct buildings? Why are they important?

Patterns exist everywhere in the built environment. Through pattern recognition, students organize random information into groupings that help them make sense of their everyday lives. During this program, students learn the importance of repetition, rhythm, and consistency in patterns that define the built environment. Working in teams, they identify shapes and patterns by examining the walls, floors, and ceiling of the National Building Museum. Students have fun creating their own patterns using their arms, legs, and faces, and illustrating individual booklets with a variety of materials.

This program meets content standards for math, visual arts, and music. This program comes with an Educator Resource Packet that includes pre- and post-visit lessons and information.

What are patterns and how are they used to decorate and construct buildings? Why are they important?

Patterns exist everywhere in the built environment. Through pattern recognition, students organize random information into groupings that help them make sense of their everyday lives. During this program, students learn the importance of repetition, rhythm, and consistency in patterns that define the built environment. Working in teams, they identify shapes and patterns by examining the walls, floors, and ceiling of the National Building Museum. Students have fun creating their own patterns using their arms, legs, and faces, and illustrating individual booklets with a variety of materials.

This program meets content standards for math, visual arts, and music. This program comes with an Educator Resource Packet that includes pre- and post-visit lessons and information.

How does the layout of a city reflect the beliefs and values of the people who live there? What part does each of us play in creating a livable city?

Students are introduced to the variety of forces and people that shape communities. They identify and prioritize real problems a city faces such as traffic, pollution, and waste disposal, and explore zoning issues. While designing their own model city out of colorful supplies and recycled materials, students come to understand the complexity of issues associated with planning a modern city and learn how they can contribute to improving the quality of life in their community.

This program meets content standards for social studies, language arts, technological literacy, and visual arts. This program comes with an Educator Resource Packet that includes pre- and post-visit lessons and information.

How does the layout of a city reflect the beliefs and values of the people who live there? What part does each of us play in creating a livable city?

Students are introduced to the variety of forces and people that shape communities. They identify and prioritize real problems a city faces such as traffic, pollution, and waste disposal, and explore zoning issues. While designing their own model city out of colorful supplies and recycled materials, students come to understand the complexity of issues associated with planning a modern city and learn how they can contribute to improving the quality of life in their community.

This program meets content standards for social studies, language arts, technological literacy, and visual arts. This program comes with an Educator Resource Packet that includes pre- and post-visit lessons and information.

What is a geodesic dome? Why is this structure architecturally significant?

American inventor, engineer, and architect R. Buckminster Fuller may be best remembered for developing the structurally-innovative geodesic dome, which has been called, “the strongest, most cost-effective structure ever devised.” Students learn how engineering principles are used to support different structures and how Fuller’s interlocking systems of triangles are used to construct domes that distribute stress and weight in the most economical way possible. Students work together to construct a 6.5 x 13’ geodesic dome in the Museum’s Great Hall and apply what they have learned by assembling their own, simple “geo” balls.

This program meets content standards for math, science, social studies, and technological literacy. This program comes with an Educator Resource Packet that includes pre- and post-visit lessons and information.

What does it mean to build “green?” How do design, technology, geography, and economics affect the homes we build—past, present, and future?

During this program students explore how buildings affect and are affected by the environment. Students learn what makes a home environmentally sustainable, or “green,” by investigating models and photographs of green homes. Working in groups, students construct model green homes for several different geographic regions.

This program meets content standards for science, social studies, language arts, technological literacy, and visual arts. This program comes with an Educator Resource Packet that includes pre- and post-visit lessons and information.

What are patterns and how are they used to decorate and construct buildings? Why are they important?

Patterns exist everywhere in the built environment. Through pattern recognition, students organize random information into groupings that help them make sense of their everyday lives. During this program, students learn the importance of repetition, rhythm, and consistency in patterns that define the built environment. Working in teams, they identify shapes and patterns by examining the walls, floors, and ceiling of the National Building Museum. Students have fun creating their own patterns using their arms, legs, and faces, and illustrating individual booklets with a variety of materials.

This program meets content standards for math, visual arts, and music. This program comes with an Educator Resource Packet that includes pre- and post-visit lessons and information.