From the Space Needle in Seattle to the recently constructed Stratosphere in Las Vegas, each of history's great towers shattered the architectural boundaries of its day. The Space Needle to the Stratosphere would be useful for classes on American History and Culture, World History, Urban Studies, Economics and Architecture. It is appropriate for middle school and high school. Students will explore the role of civic projects in urban history and culture. They will examine the difficulties in planning, financing and constructing public works as well as the effects of such projects on tourism and economics.
Some towers are more than just mere tourist attractions.
They are symbols of national or local pride. Discuss how different towers in different places are sources of pride for the national and local communities. Humans have been building towers for centuries. One of the world's most famous towers is the Tower of Pisa. Big Ben is a clock tower in London, England.