Will the Leaning Tower Fall?

Students research the Tower of Pisa and write a report about its history. Then they examine the physics of why it leans and whether it might fall. Finally, they plan a trip to Italy to see the Tower and develop an itinerary and budget for the trip. Great cross-curricular lesson plan. Requires students to research and write about the history of the Tower of Pisa, but also addresses many math standards - measuring, graphing, budgeting...

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Will the Leaning Tower Fall?

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives:

Objectives

Students will:

Research the Internet to learn about the Tower of Pisa.
Write a report about the history of the Tower.
Review the use of a graphing calculator, and then use the calculator to determine the height of the Tower.
Learn or review how to use Geometer's Sketchpad, and then use the software to explore what might cause the Tower to fall.
Write a report about their analysis of the Tower.
Use the Internet to plan a trip to Italy, and then create an itinerary and budget for the trip.

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level:

Understanding

Helpful Hints

Materials Needed:

Student Internet access
TI-83 graphing calculator
Geometer's Sketchpad software
TI-83 and Sketchpad "Survival Guides" (provided at the project Web site)
Planning a Trip worksheet (outline provided at the project Web site)

References

Contributors:

Originator:

Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation

eduToolbox® is a resource-sharing portal developed by the Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation with collaborative support and funding from the Tennessee Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education's Math & Science Partnership program.