Building For Starters

Hello guys.  Today, we’re going to be taking a trip under construction.  You’ll see more cool things than you’ve ever seen before — machines that can drill underground, machines with swivel chairs, even cranes that have to be built themselves!

But first, let’s start down with the basics.  Here’s a picture of eight basic construction machines:

Now that we’ve got your construction machines, let’s get building.  Now, if you want to get expensive, just try a skyscraper, like the Empire State Building below:

Here’s a list of everyone you’ll need:

1. masons
2. plumbers
3. crane operators
4. architects
5. drivers
6. metalworkers
7. engineers

Everyone you need is now here.  Now, we can get along for structure lessons.  If you want your building to be shaped like a dome, you might want to build an observatory, like shown:

However, taller towers are popular, too.  Let’s face it, they’re super popular!  For example, the Eiffel Tower is a tower — duh!  Speaking of the Eiffel Tower, let’s build a tower just like it, except we’ll change the design a little.

Step 1: What do you think the design should be?  You can actually mail me one of your ideas.

Step 2:  Get all the supplies required.  This stage should be pretty expensive unless you have all the supplies at home.

Step 3:  Make the foundation.  You should have a sturdy one so your tower will last a long time.

Step 4:  Create the frame.  This will be important, because your tower needs extra support.

Step 5:  Add the “skin” (that’s construction lingo for the cover of the tower) and then the extra detail.  Your tower is officially complete.

Now that you’ve got that done, you’ll have more fun than ever on this.  It’s a do it yourself home activity. 

Bridge Building

Supplies: a thin strip of paper, some pennies and two books

Step 1:  Place the two books equally apart from each other.  Pretend the books are the land.

Step 2:  Build two types of bridges.  Make a flat one and one with the sides folded up equally.

Step 3:  Place the first bridge between the two books.

Step 4:  Place the pennies on the bridge.

Step 5:  How many pennies will stay on the bridge? 

This may not work!

Step 6: Place the second bridge between the two books instead.  Is there any difference?

Answer: The first bridge won’t hold any pennies, because a flat bridge doesn’t have that much support on it.  What I mean is that the second bridge has equal weight on both sides, just like a tight rope walker has in the circus to keep he or she from falling.  More weight on one side, boom! Instant rock fall.  Okay, maybe not instant.

Anyway, let’s wrap things up. The National Building Museum in Washington, DC has some pretty cool exhibits all about architecture, similar to the stuff we have on this site today.  See you next time — Ow! Sorry I just got bonked on the head by an apple!  Next time, Newton’s view of things.

Mythic And More!

Unknown

It’s time to begin our new adventure to explore mythical creatures from around the earth. First we’re going to learn about some of the mythical creatures that aren’t that popular.  Introducing the Monster of Mexico: The Chupacabra! 

In Puerto Rico and Mexico this monster is pretty scary, as the picture up above is.  They imagine that it’s sort of like a blood sucking monster, sort of like a vampire, basically.

Introducing the next least popular monster: Kraken!  Most people just call him the giant squid.  Perhaps the legend originated from a type of squid that could grow to be at least five to six feet long.  Holy Cow!  They say when his limbs surfaced in the water he looked like a ring of islands.  Here’s a picture of him swallowing up a ship:

Best Known

It’s time to go a little easier on things.  You know, like easy to remember monsters. First up, the Loch Ness Monster.  Here is a picture of a sighting:

This legendary monster lives in Scotland.  Or, so they say.  We believe that he looks like an ancient Pleiseosaurus. 

Next up is a Greek that sure to knock your block off, stone block to be precise.  Medusa!  This Greek mythical creature had snakes for hair and one look from her could turn you to stone.

Creatures of the Real World

Finally, let’s work on some real life monsters.  Look at this monster, the Komodo Dragon:

Look at this picture of a Komodo Dragon.  It may have inspired the legend of the dragons from China and Europe.

Next up, introducing the Arabian Oryx.

This creature may have inspired the legend of the unicorn. 

I have a bit of a surprise for you.  The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is having an exhibit about mythical creatures!  Just to let you know, the American Museum of Natural History also has exhibits about dinosaurs, ocean life and biodiversity.  Biodiversity is the study of all animals.  For more info, go to Miles’s Science Encyclopedia Part One about biology.  A kids’ site from the Museum of Natural History is Ology, which is linked to my blog.  Ology teaches you about the world of science from marine biology to paleontology. 

Signing off now.  See you next time by the construction site!