Instructional Video
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Designing the Citigroup Skyscraper

3rd - 8th
This video segment adapted from the PBS series "Building Big" shows how a structural engineer overcame the challenges of building New York's Citigroup skyscraper over a church by using triangles to add muscle and stability to the...
Instructional Video
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: What Is the Engineering Design Process?

9th - 10th
This video segment adapted from "Building Big" outlines the step-by-step design process used by engineers. Includes background reading, discussion questions, and teaching tips. [4:50]
Instructional Video
Science for Kids

Science Kids: How to Videos: Build an Igloo

Pre-K - 1st
Want to see a structure that lets daylight in but keeps the cold wind out? This video will show you that structure, an igloo. See how a Inuit boy learns how to build a real igloo from his father. [2:54]
Instructional Video
National Science Foundation

National Science Foundation: Science of Innovation: Origami Structures

9th - 10th
To engineer Mary Frecker of Pennsylvania State University, origami holds the future for designing tools that could be used in fields such as medicine and space exploration. [5:55]
Instructional Video
National Science Foundation

National Science Foundation: Engineering Innovative Seismic Retrofits That Don't Break the Bank

9th - 10th
Researchers at the state-of-the-art Structural Engineering and Materials Laboratory at the Georgia Institute of Technology are using a full-scale model building to test new ways to protect structures from earthquakes and potentially save...
Instructional Video
PBS

Pbs Kids: Design Squad: Daddy Engineer: Tripod Outdoor Swing

2nd - 8th
Nate builds a giant swing for his son, Calvin, using the power of triangles. [4:36]
Instructional Video
PBS

Pbs Kids Design Squad: Cardboard Playhouse

K - 1st
Have you ever built a slide out of cardboard? Watch as Nate engineers a playhouse for his son, Calvin. [5:23]
Instructional Video
PBS

Pbs Kids Design Squad: What Is an I Beam?

3rd - 8th
Do you know what an i-beam is? Watch as Nate explains this important building tool and demonstrates its use. [3:22]
Instructional Video
National Science Foundation

National Science Foundation: Science of Innovation: Smart Concrete

9th - 10th
When carbon fiber is added to concrete, it becomes an electricity conductor and a stress sensor, which may allow engineers to identify problems in a building's structure before anything is outwardly visible. [5:23]
Instructional Video
Crash Course

Crash Course Engineering #26: Skyscrapers, Statics, and Dynamics

9th - 10th
"What if you were on a high floor of a skyscraper and the building started swaying?" This video looks at the designs of structures. Explore statics and dynamics, static equilibrium, forces, and torques, and how free body diagrams can...
Instructional Video
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: The Ruff Ruffman Show: Winging It

K - 1st
Explore structural science as Ruff Ruffman uses his new service, called "Ask Ruff First" or "ARF, to build a topple-proof birdbath. [4:45]
Instructional Video
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: The Ruff Ruffman Show: Eye of the Hamster

K - 1st
Explore structural science as Ruff Ruffman uses his new service, called "Ask Ruff First" or "ARF, to entertain a bored hamster. [4:26]
Instructional Video
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: The Ruff Ruffman Show: Ruffman Escapes!

K - 1st
Explore structural science as Ruff Ruffman uses his new service, called "Ask Ruff First" or "ARF, to find out if you can build a chair from a newspaper. [4:59]
Instructional Video
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: The Ruff Ruffman Show: Building Is a Breeze

K - 1st
Explore structural science as Ruff Ruffman uses his new service, called "Ask Ruff First" or "ARF, to help kids looking for a way to keep their mini-golf tower from tipping over in the wind. [5:00]