Towers of Learning
Towers Bring New Meaning to Higher Learning
There are few things more breathtaking than a sky high view of the rest of the world. The chance to experience a view from above is an opportunity that can bring the mind peace and clarity, in addition to further knowledge. There are three major U.S. landmarks that can literally take us to new heights and provide us with a beautiful and educational experience.
Space Needle – Seattle, WA
Seattle’s widely known observation tower was first built in 1962 for the World’s Fair. The Space Needle has an impressive architectural history. It was designed after building upon ideas like a giant balloon and a flying saucer, and ended up reaching over 600 feet high and weighing 9,550 tons. The Space needle is expected to remain a strong structure, enduring high winds and moderate earthquakes. SkyCity is a rotating restaurant located at the top of the Space Needle, and it completes a 360-degree rotation in only 47 minutes. A visitor can be taken to the top in approximately 41 seconds in an elevator moving 10 miles per hour. The Seattle Space Needle is open 365 days a year from 8am until midnight.
Willis Tower (Skydeck) – Chicago, IL
Willis Tower is the eighth tallest building in the world, towering 1450 feet above the ground. It offers the opportunity to stand on what’s referred to as “The Ledge,” a retractable glass compartment attached to the building for an unforgettable view of 50 miles. Along with the opportunity to stand on the ledge, Skydeck provides displays, videos, and facts about Chicago and the history of the building. The Ledge website also provides short quizzes and scavenger hunts for children with regards to the tower. (http://theskydeck.com/for-kids/)
Empire State Building – New York City, NY
As one of America’s icons and a world famous landmark, the Empire State Building is one of the most notable locations to visit in the world. The top of the roof is measured to be about 1250 feet high, and the antenna reaches an extra 200 feet higher. The Empire State Building is open every day of the year from 8am until 2am. In the past few years, the building has undergone renovations and upgrades in order to make it more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. The building cost almost $41 million to build and is also home to an interior of mural art decorations. The Empire State Building has been featured in numerous shows and Hollywood films, demonstrating the fame and nostalgic significance of the building. The Empire State Building website also provides lesson plans for various grade levels and subjects, to enhance the educational experience. (http://www.esbnyc.com/explore/education)
Each one of these locations is a phenomenal destination for study. The observation decks are equipped with presentations and experiences to educate visitors on history, math, science, architecture, physics, geography, and art. All three of these towers hold a special place in U.S. history, as they represent American dreamers, engineers, and innovators. They presently stand strong and continue to inspire students from all over the world to learn and strive for greatness.
More for our members on field trips:
At HECOA, we LOVE field trips! They are a great way to enhance your academic content and they really help kids to get hands-on experiences to extend the learner to much deeper levels. We have articles as well as recorded webinars on field trips, and we have TWO amazing field trips scheduled at the national level for 2016 - one is to Yellowstone National Park in June 2016, and the other is to Washington D.C. in September!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR 2016 NATIONAL FIELD TRIP TO WASHINGTON D.C. !
Happiest Place on Earth (FREE Printable ABCs Scavenger Hunt)
DID YOU KNOW that the Matterhorn bobsled ride is based on the Matterhorn Peak in the Pennine Alps between Switzerland[...]
Why You Need to Teach Geology and How
The common approach to teaching Geology is to hit it once, probably in 8th Grade. But Geology is the beginning[...]
A Field Trip to Thanksgiving Point
This particular museum is an educational theme park! A fascinating wonderland of academic playgrounds. The entrance fee is pricier than[...]
Yellowstone Prep Curriculum
Yellowstone Field Trip Curriculum~5-week series to prep for your trip~ WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 WEEK 5[...]
Fishing for Facts at the Aquarium
Fishing for Facts at the AquariumBy Jen HolmstromDive into another world at the aquarium! The aquarium is one of the[...]
The Mystery Spot
The Mystery SpotBy Jen Holmstrom Your mind will be blown away when you hear about this spot in Santa Cruz,[...]
8 Amazing Things to Do at Yellowstone National Park
8 Amazing Things to Do at Yellowstone National ParkBy Jen Holmstrom There are some incredible spots in our natural surroundings. We[...]
Skating Through Life
Skating Through Lifeby Jen HolmstromAround the Holidays we look for seasonal activities. One of the best activities for colder days[...]
You’ve Got Mail!
You've Got Mail! By Jen Holmstrom"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift[...]
Exploring Nature In Your Own Backyard
Exploring Nature In Your Own Backyard by Jen Holmstrom One of the most enriching parts of the world is nature.[...]
The Jelly Belly Factory
The Jelly Belly Factory by Jen Holmstrom Crushed Pineapple, Blueberry, Island Punch, and Toasted Marshmallow. Do these flavors peak your[...]
Apples & Pumpkins by Jen
Share0 Share +10 Tweet0 Share0 Pin0 Apples & Pumpkins by Jen HolmstromHomeschooling allows us to explore and study seasons and[...]
Field Trips – An Essential Component of Homeschooling
This workshop was taught in the 2015 Not Back to School SummitField trips are essential to homeschooling, and yet many[...]
Customize a World Class Education For Your Children
This workshop was taught in the 2015 Not Back to School Summit - REGISTER HERE for FREE live access to our next[...]
Biblical Geology – The Biblical Framework for Interpreting Earth History
Do you wish that you knew more about the Earth so that you could explain the geographical formations to your[...]
Creating a Humanitarian Homeschool
This workshop was taught in the 2015 Not Back to School Summit - REGISTER HERE for FREE live access to our[...]
Using Travel to enhance your childrens understanding of the World
This workshop was taught in the 2015 Not Back to School Summit - REGISTER HERE for FREE live access to our[...]
Towers of Learning
Share0 Share +10 Tweet0 Share0 Pin0 Towers Bring New Meaning to Higher Learning There are few things more breathtaking than[...]
Make a trip to your local farm
Field Trips by Jen - a HECOA series for Home Educators Visiting Local Farms For some, farms might be[...]
Teaching Geology with Rock Identification
How to Identify those Rocks Your Kids are Bringing Home Presentation by Patrick Nurre Do you have a child who[...]
Snowshoeing for PE
[osd_social_media_sharing] Looking for a fun outdoor physical activity when it's snowy outside that won't break the bank? Skiing and snowboarding[...]
Letterboxing
[osd_social_media_sharing] Much easier than geocaching, letterboxing involves following a set of directions to a location – turn left, turn right,[...]
What Not Back to School Means to Homeschoolers
What does Not Back to School mean to YOU?? We asked our members to send us a photo or a[...]
Scheduling and Planning to Have Fridays Off
Scheduling and Lesson Planning – How to Have Fridays Off – How do parents find time to attend park days[...]