On Thursday, November 29, the HOH Library invited Civil Engineer, Charmaine Moshier and Art Educator, Trish Halverson of Storm King to share with students during an assembly, their expertise in solving real-world problems. 

Ms. Moshier who builds skyscrapers in New York City shared with kindergarteners how their inquiry into 2D and 3D shapes could one day help them design and/or build tall structures.  

Students in 3^rd grade, Ms. Moshier and Ms. Halverson had spirited discussions about designing, planning and constructing tall structures.  Ms. Moshier deduced from students how skyscrapers address the housing crisis that currently exists in NYC.  The discussion further delved into the value of team-work, as well as foundations, models, supply and demand (of housing in NYC), inventions such as the tower crane and exterior hoists that have revolutionized the building industry by making building structures more efficient and cost-effective. Ms. Halverson made connections between the sculptures at Storm King, with building structures in NYC, making specific references to students’ visit to Storm King and their observations of renowned landscape artist, Maya Lin’s work, Storm King Wavefield.  Ms. Halverson went on to reinforce the importance of firm foundations for large structures.   

Both lessons culminated with students enthusiastically taking on the challenge of using their prior and newly-acquired knowledge to build the tallest structures.  Kindergarteners used Legos and wooden blocks, while 3^rd graders used paper.  All our students embodied November’s IB Learner Profile, that of being an Inquirer, as well as the IB Attitudes of showing curiosity, creativity, and risk-taking to answer the challenge, and produce unique and intricate structures.