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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moscow's Magnificent Domes

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners, after researching Russian architecture in Moscow, find pictures of onion-shaped domes on buildings such as St. Basil's Cathedral. They discover how Byzantine architecture reflects the orthodox faith and then create a replica of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shapes That Make Structures Strong

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the various shapes engineers choose to make structures strong -- in particular, triangles, arches, and domes. They construct a variety of forms, and discuss how tension and compression are distributed by triangles,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Golden Landmarks

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students examine several golden landmark structures and architectural features found in cultures worldwide. They compare and contrast the buildings they explore and then draw an architectural structure that incorporates elements of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geodesic Dome

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students build geodesic domes using newspaper after watching a video about the architectural concepts used in building domes. They decide which geometric shapes can be used to build the strongest building.
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Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: The Dome Challenge

For Students 9th - 10th
In this interactive activity, from the Web site developed for the PBS series "Building Big," think like an engineer and use your knowledge of dome design to match the right type of dome to the right location in a fictitious city.
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Interactive
PBS

Pbs Building Big: The Skyscraper Challenge

For Students 3rd - 8th
A site for all users interested in the engineering behind the building. Site engages users in a job that requires them to investigate troubled buildings and then figure out how to fix them.
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Activity
Other

Science Toys: A Geodesic Dome

For Students 9th - 10th
Directions on how to build a geodesic dome. Author used 1/2 inch galvanized steel electrical conduit, but directions using gumdrops, paper, and soda straws are also provided. Large diagrams and pictures plus accompanying descriptive text.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: Building Big: Domes

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of resources about domes that includes basic facts about domes, challenges faced by dome builders, famous domes from around the world, and a lab that helps you understand different kinds of materials used to construct domes....
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Website
University of California

Ucla: Manas: Taj Mahal

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has several photos as well as a history of the Taj Mahal.
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Article
Islami City

Islami City: Taj Mahal, Agra, India

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is a picture of the Taj Mahal as well as information regarding the construction of the building.
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Activity
PBS

Pbs Kids:activities and Videos: Structures

For Students 3rd - 8th
PBS site provides videos and activities are hands-on challenges that focus on the engineering design process. They use simple materials, allow for multiple solutions, and are ideal for ages 9-12.
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Activity
PBS

Pbs Building Big: The Labs

For Students 3rd - 8th
An interactive series of labs describing some basic principles of Physics. The labs demonstrate different basic concepts of physics used in building and creating large structures such as bridges, domes, skyscrapers, dams, and tunnels.
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Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Correggio, Assumption of the Virgin

For Students 9th - 10th
In the sacred architecture of the Roman and Byzantine empires, domes were viewed as symbols of heaven. Correggio merged this symbolism with the Renaissance's fascination for three-dimensional illusion. He transformed the dome of the...
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Graphic
Rudiments of Wisdom

Rudiments of Wisdom: Domes

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about domes in a unique way. All of the fun-fact information is drawn in a cartoon style.
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Website
Creative Science Centre

Creative Science Centre: Information About Geodesic and Other Dome Structures

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of links to resources on domes, including geodesic domes.
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Interactive
PBS

Pbs: The Bridge Challenge

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site from PBS is for any user wanting test their engineering skills. Take a trip to Craggy Rock and help their growing community decide on four new bridges.
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Interactive
PBS

Pbs: The Dome Challenge

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from PBS is a great web site for anyone interested in using some engineering skills. Travel to sizzling hot Char County and help the residents decide on three new domes.
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Graphic
Other

Tolomeus: Panoramic Views of the Pantheon in Rome

For Students 9th - 10th
A virtual reality panorama of the interior of the Pantheon that showcases all the important hallmarks of this landmark of Roman architecture: its coffered dome, its Corinthian columns, its many sculpture niches, and other structural and...
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Handout
archKIDecture

Arch Ki Decture: Geodesic Dome

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Using the Montreal Biosphere as as an example, ArchKIDecture defines and illustrates the term "geodesic dome."
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Science Italian Style: Renaissance Machines

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Investigate innovative machine designs of the Renaissance, then build a hang glider by following a set of instructions. Modify the design to create a model that can fly longer distances.
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Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Geodesic Dome

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Explore different structures by building a large geodesic dome from tubes of newspaper.
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Handout
Other

Geodesic Domes (2)

For Students 9th - 10th
This website explains all about geodesic domes, who invented them and the mathematics of their construction.