Engineering Case Study - Sydney Tower

The Sydney Tower Engineering Case Study

The activities include within this resource are for students studying examples of great engineering feats. This activity specifically looks at The Sydney Tower opened in 1981, and includes a set of questions relating to the text. The case study include a find-a-word and other activities which could be provided to students after completion of the main activity.

Who is this resource for?

The activities and text have been written for students studying engineering or design related units. It could be a useful resource to provide as a casual or sub lesson or to introduce a discussion around engineering principals, materials or structures.

The resources contained within this resource have been designed for use in the classroom to assist in presenting meaningful activities in the subject of Engineering. They have been formatted to allow for quick printing of individual lessons for emergency cover lessons when practical work cannot be completed due to teacher absence or unexpected unavailability of the workshop for classes.

Stage 4 2026 Technology Engineering Syllabus outcomes

• Identify the characteristics and properties of components in engineered systems.
• Describe products, systems and technologies developed by engineers and manufacturers.
• Outline factors affecting the design of engineered systems.
• Describe how engineered solutions use materials, components and systems.
• Explain how force, motion and energy apply to engineered systems.

What is included in this resource?

1. Sydney Tower reading comprehension activity
   This activity includes a 2 page outline of the engineering challenges faced by the builders of the Sydney Tower. The activity could be used an in individual task of as a reading task with the entire class or an an individual activity. Page 3 of this activity includes some reading comprehension questions relating to the text.
2. Test yourself activity
   This page consists of 9 multiple choice questions for students to test their understanding of the text from the read comprehension activity. Answers are included at the bottom of the page for students to self assess.
3. Sydney Tower Find-A-Word Version 1 and Version 2
   Two Find-A-Word activity with 20 words related to the Sydney Tower and matching information found in activity 1 “Sydney Tower reading comprehension activity”. There are 2 versions of this activity for distribution to students sitting next to each other if the teacher would prefer students to work independently.

Life Skills activities
This resource includes activities suitable for life skills program including a simplified version of the Sydney Tower Reading comprehension activity, True/False “Test yourself” activity and a simplified find-a-word activity.

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