The Empire State Building has announced updated, interactive lesson plans for student visits to its new $165 million observatory upgrade.
Created in partnership with Bank Street College of Education, the curriculum follows New York State learning standards for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) and social studies curricula, and has grade-level appropriate lesson plans for elementary, middle, and high school students.
Teachers and students will utilize the new curriculum to learn about the building’s engineering, design process, workforce, and major technological elements. The observatory experience completed a $165 million development in December 2019, which complements all elements of the program and offers students the chance to experience the energy-efficient building from bottom to top. Lessons start with interactive digital exhibits in the second-floor museum and continue up to the open-air 86th floor observatory.
The $165 million renovations include premier indoor environmental quality measures, such as MERV 13 air filters and active bipolar ionization, which have led to the building’s accomplishment as first in the Americas to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating.