The Empire State Building has announced updated interactive lesson plans for student visits to its new $165 million observatory.
Created in partnership with Bank Street College of Education, the curriculum follows the New York State Standards for Learning Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and Social Studies curriculum, and has lesson plans appropriate for elementary, middle, and high school students.
Educators and students will benefit from the new curriculum to learn about the building’s architecture, design process, workforce, and key technological elements. The Observatory Experience completed a $165 million development in December 2019, which completes all elements of the program and provides students with an opportunity to experience the energy-efficient building from the bottom up. Lessons begin with interactive digital exhibits in the Museum of the second floor and continue until the open air 86y Earth Observatory.
The $165 million renovations include pioneering indoor environmental quality measures, such as MERV 13 air filters and active dipole ionization, achieving the building’s achievement as the first in the Americas to achieve a WELL health and safety rating.