7th Grade - Building NYC

In seventh grade, our students are exploring:

Engineering & Architecture: What are the essential engineering principles that allow skyscrapers to be strong, efficient, tall & aesthetically pleasing?

Responsible Urban Development: How can new urban development meet the needs of a community?
We started the unit by challenging them to work collaboratively to build skyscraper models of a skyscraper. We looked for stability, accuracy and teamwork - we were very impressed with the outcome!

7th Grade Trip - Center for Architecture

As a part of our seventh grade "Building NYC" unit, our seventh graders attended a skyscraper building workshop at the Center for Architecture. Students learned about the structural systems that support tall buildings and then created their own models of a skyscraper's structural frame.

7th Grade Trip- One World Observatory

Our seventh graders have an amazing opportunity to visit One World Observatory as part of our Building NYC unit. The experience begins at the entry portal. There is an area called Voices which has interviews of people who have worked on the building the last 14 years. They then continue to Foundations which tells them about the building. They then take a 47 second elevator ride (5 elevators, 15 people in each) to the 102 floor where they watch a short movie about the feel and flow of the city. They then continue down to 101 which has a photo area and dining section. Finally they continue to floor 100 which has some interactive tour guide driven pieces and of course the 360 degree view.  Our students viewed elements of architecture and got inspired for their own building project.  

7th Grade Skyscraper Hotel Competition

Today, seventh graders competed in the 2015 NYC Hotel Skyscraper competition. Developers visited their architecture firms' booths and voted on the following categories:

-best skyscraper design 

-best skyscraper engineering 

-most creative use of building materials 

-architect award for best blueprint

-best in show 

They shared their 3D models and blueprints and explained their engineering techniques and design inspiration. Additionally, the students created travel guides for their hotel guests. Their brochures and posters were on display, and the blog urls are listed below the pictures.

Students were visited by a representative from Distrikt Hotel in midtown Manhattan. Our student's work was featured on the Distrikt Hotel blog, NYC Stoop Talk.

Travel Guide Blogs:

www.apollotheaterronaldgarcia.blogspot.com 

nytmguide.blogspot.com 

statueoflibertymosescohensoyer.blogspot.com  

http://stellareidm.wix.com/stellamstonewallinn
wonderwheel-gabbyc.BlogSpot.com
harperchalfinthehighline.BlogSpot.com
timessquarejlopez.BlogSpot.com
citifield-edwardwong.BlogSpot.com
gigagirl101.wix.com/pennstation-sarahf
themetopheliatucker.BlogSpot.com
brooklynbridgeemmashear.BlogSpot.com
thechryslerbuilding.BlogSpot.com
luluswsp.weebly.com
intrepidguide.BlogSpot.com
thehighlinetravelguide.BlogSpot.com
washingtonsquareparkmalinee.BlogSpot.com
margaretsangerclinicnaomisiegel.BlogSpot.com
bronxzoojeremymoller.BlogSpot.com
theunitednationsdeannasouchet.BlogSpot.com
strawberryfieldsguide.BlogSpot.com
cyclonezacharymiller.BlogSpot.com
taliyahevanspennstation.BlogSpot.com
gaiaxbeane.wis.com/Apollo-theater
grandcentralaryamenon.BlogSpot.com
dylanstimesquare.BlogSpot.com
dianagilstatenislandferry.BlogSpot.com

7th Grade Landmarks Speaker

Julia Foulkes, an MS447 parent and landmarks historian at the New School University, visited seventh graders to discuss the landmarking process. The students were particularly interested in her discussion of 5 Pointz, a building that was formerly covered in graffiti art, in Long Island City. Because the building was never landmarked, the graffiti was whitewashed and the building is set for demolition. Condos will take the place of 5 Pointz.

 The seventh graders will continue to explore what buildings/ parks in NYC have earned the landmark designation and think about what should become landmarked.

7th Grade Skyscraper Project

The seventh graders are working in groups of three on their final skyscraper project. 

The proposal:

You and your colleagues have been commissioned by NYC to design a new hotel in midtown Manhattan. The building will be a skyscraper and must be architecturally sound, using all the design principles that you have studied during the cycle. You will be responsible to create a blueprint and 3-D model of your skyscraper. The travel guide you are working to create in the travel guides strand will be used by guests of your hotel when they visit NYC. 

Your tower must be stable, functional, visually pleasing and meets the following criteria:

-is at least 45 cm tall

-is taller than it is wide

-contains at least 10 floors

-has a skeletal frame and façade

-incorporates 4 engineering (3 wind, 1 structural) 

Your budget: each group will be given a starter pack of materials as well as $800 MS447 to purchase supplies. Each starter pack contains 25 Popsicle sticks and one stick of glue.