Clinometer
A clinometer can be used in measuring buildings, trees, poles and many other tall things. This is usually used when you can't find any device that can measure those large and tall things.
When I've used the clinometer I learned many things. Such as, you can't have the same height of the building with your classmate because it depends on your height, your distance from the building and your eye view of the building.
When you make an improvised clinometer all you need is a piece of straw, a potractor, a thread, laser pointer (if possible), a 5-cent coin, and a tape.
Just watch this youtube video on how to make this clinometer: