Geneva Student Skyscraper Project Reaches New Heights

GENEVA - Students in Jay Neitzel’s 8th grade class at Geneva Middle School North exceeded all expectations this year by trying to reach new heights...literally. After a recent unit on Industry and Urban Growth, students were tasked with building their own skyscraper to demonstrate understanding of what they learned.

There were two towers this year that beat the old record of 22'3", set back in 2014. The new record is now 29' tall!

“The engineering and craftsmanship that went into each project was a true reflection of each student's desire and motivation to complete this task with great success,” said Mr. Neitzel. “Students showcased innovative thinking when developing their projects and it was so gratifying to end our unit with such enthusiasm and sense of accomplishment on both ends of the teaching and learning spectrum.”

The Golden Palm Hotel & Suites by Eric and Scott Boyce was voted best project by the student body for its innovative approach of being built above a highway and railroad tracks. As part of the causation component to the project, the Boyce brothers’ motivation was to alleviate overcrowding and provide quick transportation to and from their tower.

Each year, 10 completed projects are nominated by teachers and then voted on by students. The top three finishers have their pictures taken with their projects to be added to the wall of fame in Neitzel’s classroom.

Tallest: Wemm Tower by Grace Engebretson, Lindsey Mikula, Devin Murray, Braylin Wright
First Place: Golden Palm Hotel & Suites by Eric Boyce and Scott Boyce
Second Place: PEEC by Emily Cella, Casey Godfrey, Erin Keenan, Paityn Taormina
Third Place: Olympus Tower by Ryan DeMarco, Griffin May, Tom Waldrop