Eiffel Tower Challenge

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Eiffel Tower Challenge!
A Middle-Grades Math Project By Karey M. Santos,
NBCT
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The Eiffel Tower, designed by Gustave Eiffel, was
an incomparable engineering feat when it was
erected in preparation for the Universal
Exposition of 1889.
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It only took five months to build the foundations
and twenty-one to finish assembling the metal
pieces of the Tower.
March 15, 1888 
September 15, 1888 
December 26, 1888 
March 12, 1889 The
assembly of the 300 meter tower was a marvel of
precision, as all chroniclers of the period
agree. (Imagine a tower taller than 3 football
fields, end to end.) The construction work began
in January 1887 and was finished on March 31,
1889. Historical photos source
http//www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/
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Tower is basically composed of two parts - a
base, which is a sort of sturdy stool, standing
on 4 main pillars, and - a tower firmly attached
atop. The pillar base allows the Tower to
withstand the swaying wind forces.
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Because the basic structure composed of laminated
iron is visible, the Geometry is clear. Lets
explore this marvel, looking for the MATH! Use
your Math terms to describe what you see
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These stairs lead you to the first level
observation deck. Where is the Math?

• Parallel

Equidistant
Congruent
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Triangles
Intersecting line segments
Congruent shapes
Perpendicular
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rays
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Your Challenge! You will work with a Design and
Construction Crew to create a new Tower, using
only the materials provided by your teacher.
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Your Tower base may not have more than 4 supports
at the base. Your Tower base must be set on the
mat provided. Your Tower must be structurally
able to support a tennis ball at the top. Your
Tower must reach minimum height requirements.
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Your completed Tower will compete with other
Towers for maximum height so build it
tall! Your team must design an original flag
that expresses a Mathematical Theme which will be
placed on the top of your Tower.
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Product Scoring Rubric Completed on Time 20
pts. Follows Design Plan 10 pts. Meets size
specs. 10 pts. Meets support specs. 10
pts. Original flag 10 pts. Creativity 10
pts. Neatness 10 pts. Teamwork 20 pts. 10
EXTRA CREDIT POINTS WILL BE ALLOTTED TO THE
TALLEST TOWER!!!
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Start designing and good luck!
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Sources Eiffel Tower historical
information/photos http//www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiff
el/uk/ Flag of France http//education.yahoo.com/r
eference/factbook/fr/flag.html Photographs taken
by Karey Joe Santos, 6/06.
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SC Grade 4 MATH Curriculum Standards Addressed
4-1.3 Explain and justify answers to problems on
the basis of mathematical properties, structures,
and relationships on mathematical properties,
structures, and relationships. 4-1.4 Generate
descriptions and mathematical statements about
relationships between and among classes of
objects. 4-4.1 Analyze the quadrilaterals
squares, rectangles, trapezoids, rhombuses, and
parallelograms according to their properties.
4-4.5 Use transformation(s) to prove congruency.
4-4.6 Represent points, lines, line segments,
rays, angles, and polygons. 4-5.1 Use
appropriate tools to measure objects to the
nearest unit measuring length in quarter inches,
centimeters, and millimeters measuring liquid
volume in cups, quarts, and liters and measuring
weight and mass in pounds, milligrams, and
kilograms. 4-5.2 Compare angle measures with
referent angles of 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and
180 degrees to estimate angle measures.