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Impossible places

The Skywalk, a step too far?

This lesson focuses on an engineering project that made an ‘impossible' place ‘possible' - the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Suspended more than a kilometre above the Colorado River and able to withstand a magnitude 8.0 earthquake. In the second lesson student explore whether this development could be a step too far. #

Key questions:

  • What is the Skywalk?
  • Where is the Grand Canyon?
  • Why was the Skywalk built?
  • What are the issues surrounding the construction of the Skywalk?
  • What do students think of the construction? Is it a "step too far"?


Key Concepts:
Place
Environmental interaction and Sustainable Development
Cultural understanding and diversity

What is the Skywalk?
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a tourist attraction on the edge of the Grand Canyon. It is a horseshoe-shaped glass walkway at 1,200m above the floor of the canyon.

Where is the Grand Canyon?
The Grand Canyon is in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Why was the Skywalk built?
It was built by a Las Vegas businessman in partnership with the Hualapai tribe of Native American in the hope that it will be the catalyst for a larger plan of economic development in the area. It would open up a 160 km stretch of the rim of the canyon to include hotels, restaurants, golf courses and a cable car down to the Colorado River. The idea is that this will combat a serious unemployment rate (50%) and poverty within the 2000 Hualapai residents.

What are the issues surrounding the construction of the Skywalk?

Opposition to the Skywalk:

  • Some of the Hualapai tribe see it as disturbing scared ground.
  • Concern over future over-development of the area
  • The lack of sustainability: water is not taken from the Colorado River but piped or trucked in from elsewhere.
  • Environmental groups think it spoils the natural landscape and a national and world treasure.
  • Some have suggested that the Hualapai had argued that they were best suited to look after the Grand Canyon and have now decided to exploit it.

For the Skywalk:

  • Much of the Hualapai tribe say they need employment and financial income to counter social problems and poverty


Click on an activity:

Downloads:

Google Earth 3D model

Concept Map statements

Pollster Excel application

Excerpts from Skywalk website starter script

Skywalk opinions from YouTube

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