Power Paper

Power Paper

Think about some words you might associate with paper, such as thin or rip, and then think of the words you might associate with a textbook, such as heavy. Do you think that sheets of paper could support the weight of one of your textbooks? Why or why not?
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Build the Eiffel Tower

Build the Eiffel Tower

From The Science and Technology of Marie Curie

Built in 1889 for the World Exposition, the Eiffel Tower honored the French Revolution. It also showcased national engineering and design expertise to an audience of global visitors. Originally intended as a temporary monument, it remains one of the world’s most visited landmarks. The structure of the tower itself is actually quite simple! To understand how its rivets and beams join, build a model of your own.

Make Your Own Zibaldone

Make Your Own Zibaldone

From The Science and Technology of Leonardo da Vinci

A zibaldone is the Italian word for “a heap of things.” This is what Leonardo’s notebook was called. He collected a heap of ideas, observations, questions, and experiments on the pages of his notebooks, putting everything he saw or thought into the same book, instead of having different notebooks for different topics. And he used every corner and both sides of every page. In the 1400s, books and paper were more plentiful than they had...

Experiment with Homemade Soap

Experiment with Homemade Soap

From The Science and Technology of Ben Franklin

Back when Ben Franklin was a kid, making soap was a smelly affair. It’s much easier—and more fun—today. Have an adult help you with the knife and the hot glycerin (soap). Caution: An adult must help you melt the glycerin.

Tilt Sensor

Tilt Sensor

From Bots!

Make a simple tilt sensor with LED lights that indicate which way it's leaning.



“The architecture and engineering of skyscraper technology is presented in a clear, concise manner for young readers. Advanced engineering concepts such as shear and gravity forces, wind loading, and structural behavior are all explained lucidly. I can recommend this book to any young reader who has an interest in architecture and engineering and wishes to explore skyscrapers.”

—Paul J. Armstrong, Associate Professor Emeritus, School of Architecture, University of Illinois

Skyscrapers! shows how science has been used to build some of the world’s tallest buildings. Hands-on experiments let junior engineers and architects explore these principles first-hand while learning about the history and importance of skyscrapers around the world.”

—Thomas Leslie, FAIA, Professor in Architecture, Iowa State University

“This exciting book demystifies a complex subject of high-rise design and engineering to young readers. Illustrated with case studies and examples, it covers the history, technology, design, and vocabulary associated with tall buildings.”

—Ajla Aksamija, Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts

Detailed Book Description

Look up, up, up! How do skyscrapers get so tall? Skyscrapers are amazing feats of engineering that kids (and adults!) find fascinating. How do they get so high? How do they stay standing? Who is involved in designing and building these gravity-defying structures?

In Skyscrapers! With 25 Science Projects for Kids, children ages 7 to 10 learn about the principles of engineering that are used in building skyscrapers, as well as the history of skyscrapers themselves. Readers also explore the kinds of professionals that contribute to the raising of a skyscraper, from engineers to architects to construction teams. To answer the burning question on every young engineer's mind–how do skyscrapers stay standing?–readers discover the important designs used to build tall buildings.

Try these hands-on STEAM activities!

  • Experiment with earthquake-resistant materials
  • Test the relative strength of different shapes
  • Discover the effect of vibration on structures
Available In:
Hardcover, $19.95
Paperback, $14.95
Subject: Science
Content Focus: Engineering & Technology



Let’s Explore Skyscrapers

Chapter 1
Why Do We Need Skyscrapers?

Chapter 2
Engineering and Design

Chapter 3
Types of Skyscrapers

Chapter 4
Let the Building Begin!

Chapter 5
Famous Skyscrapers

Metric Conversions
Essential Questions