Education Technology


Supertall Skyscrapers

Activity Overview

In this activity, students use their handhelds to measure scale drawings of famous “supertall” skyscrapers. They first check that the Sears Tower is drawn to scale and then use their measurements to calculate that scale. Next, they write and solve proportions to find the heights of other skyscrapers drawn with the same scale. The activity closes with the students creating an accurate scale model of themselves within one of the scale drawings.

Key Steps

  • Image

    Students begin by measuring the roof height and the tip height of the Sears Tower. Demonstrate dragging the point until the line segment is the same height as the building and measuring its length with the Length tool (Measurement > Length). Students should use one segment to measure the tip height of the building, including the antennae, and the other to measure the roof height (without antennae).