Customer Reviews

Building Big: Bridges/Domes/Skyscrapers/Dams/Tunnels

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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This set of five videos by artist/architect David Macaulay provides many hours of insightful entertainment and a great introduction to science and technology on a practical level. Each themed film - Bridges, Skyscrapers, Tunnels Domes and Dams - provides an in-depth historical treatment of the particular structure, interesting stories and overviews from famous structures and basic scientific principles involved in each project.

The set features lots of great location shoots with David Macaulay narrating interesting stories and pointing out details of each site.

To give you an idea, "Tunnels" covers aqueducts and water-carrying tunnels of Ancient Rome, early canal and train tunnels of the 19th century (particularly in England and the U.S.), archaic and modern methods of tunnel digging (particularly under rivers), issues involving tunnel safety (both during the project and during use afterwards) with a special emphasis (in all areas) on the building of the Channel Tunnel in the 1990s between England and France. Each video also includes a "Building Small" segment and pamphlet so that families can tackle simple science projects at home that demonstrate principles of architecture.

Our family has really enjoyed these movies - from the four year old all the way up to Mom and Dad. The material is substantial, but easy to understand (particularly with the excellent use of computer graphics and artistic sketches).

My only caution would be that there were a few photos from an airplane crash into the Empire state Building in the 1940s that are a little graphic for young children. I was very excited to learn that these are coming out on DVD this fall.

I really like these DVDs. As a teacher the DVDs can be shown to students, plus you get activities on the DVD and a book you can print. This was made so that you could actually use it with today's kids. I am a teacher and I love these.

I have used this DVD series (and others by the same author) many times. The scientific principles of how to construct large structures are presented clearly with many illustrations and animations which add clarity and simplicity to the explanations. The author often uses examples from history to demonstrate and develop the concepts he is high-lighting. The information is presented in a very entertaining way which makes his approach effective and enjoyable. The only minor down-side to the series is that some of the projects that were shown in process are now years after completion. In some minor cases what was state-of-the- art when the DVD was produced is now not so. Even with this down-side, the strength of the series is on explaining basic principles,which by their definition, never are out dated. Bottom line, I strongly recommend this series.

very happy with the dvd of this pbs show. already have the book and the whole family enjoys the info on these ideas and making of these designs.

My son absolutely loves these videos! They are interesting and informative. My neighbor, who homeschools her girls, wants to incorporate them into her curriculum. Well worth the money!

I use this series as a foundation for an architecture and engineering class I teach to gifted students. The material is comprehensive and the scientific concepts are presented in an accurate and easy to understand format. As a bonus, they are just plain enjoyable to watch!

The videos kept my attention and that of my gifted middle school students. Good explanations and visuals to help make material comprehensible.