Virginia Department of Education
The Ratio of Surface Area to Volume
Demonstrate the ratio of surface area to volume in your high school class by using phenolphthalein, gelatin, and an onion. Intrigue the class by leading a discussion on osmosis and diffusion, then making "scientific jello." Participants...
Curated OER
Surface Area and Volume
Upper graders identify the surface area and attributes of figures that are measurable. They estimate, measure, and record perimeter, area, temperature change, and elapsed time, using a variety of strategies. They also determine the...
Virginia Department of Education
Surface Area and Volume of a Cylinder
Surface area or volume? Pupils first review the difference between surface area and volume. They then use a two-dimensional net that helps them develop formulas for the surface area and volume of cylinders.
Curated OER
Surface Area, Who Needs it?
In this geometry lesson on cylinders, geometers explore how to find the smallest surface area for a given volume. They use their knowledge to relate it to the real world by making a model of a livestock tank.
Curated OER
Volume and Surface Area: Which Is More?
Learners explore the volume and surface area of three dimensional figures. Through the use of video, students discover three dimensional shapes, their uses in real-life applications, and methods used to calculate their volume and surface...
Virginia Department of Education
Geometry and Volume
The history of math is fascinating! Utilize a woodcut primary source image from 1492 and posters from the 1930s to help geometers apply their volume-calculation skills to real-life questions.
Curated OER
SA/V Ratio and Rate of Diffusion
Students calculate the SA/V ratio and volume of phenophthalien agar that are cut into different shapes. They then let ammonia diffuse into the various pieces of agar and determine the effect that SA/V had on the rate of diffusion.
Virginia Department of Education
Attributes of a Rectangular Prism
A change is coming. Pupils use unit cubes to investigate how changes in the length, width, and/or height affects volume and surface area. They extend the results to write and test predictions on the effect of changing multiple sides on...
Curated OER
Geometry and Measurement
Young geometers explore relationships between units of measure and objects. Three activities provide varied opportunities to practice. Learners calculate the volume of two cylinders made by rolling a piece of paper vertically and...
Teach Engineering
Discovering Relationships Between Side Length and Area
Consider the relationship between side length and area as an input-output function. Scholars create input-output tables for the area of squares to determine an equation in the first installment of a three-part unit. Ditto for the area of...
Curated OER
Volumes of Rectangular Prisms
Students determine the volume of a rectangular prism. They then maximize and minimize the volume given variable side lengths. Finally, they factor the volume equation to determine the side lengths.
Curated OER
Changing Twines: Exploring Area and Perimeter
Third graders review formulas for area and perimeter in quadrilaterals. They arrange pre-cut twine on a centimeter graph paper to create non-congruent quadrilaterals. They calculate the perimeter and area of each form.
Curated OER
Inquiry Unit: Modeling Maximums and Minimums
Young mathematicians explore the maximun area for patio with the added complexity of finding the mimimum cost for construction. First, they maximize the area of a yard given a limited amount of fence and plot width v. area on a...
Curated OER
Who Wants to Carry a Million?
Young scholars, in groups, determine the volume of a box large enough to hold a million dollars. They calculate the dimensions of a bill and the volume of the money.
Curated OER
Cylinder: Student Worksheet
In this cylinder worksheet, young scholars compare three different cylinders to experiment which one has the greatest volume. Students interact with rectangles as they experiment with the cylinders.
American Statistical Association
Exploring Geometric Probabilities with Buffon’s Coin Problem
Scholars create and perform experiments attempting to answer Buffon's Coin problem. They discover the relationships between geometry and probability, empirical and theoretical probabilities, and area of a circle and square.
Curated OER
Baseball Geometry
Students apply various methods for finding the volume and surface area of sphere. They compare and contrast results among these mathematical methods. They work in cooperative groups to discuss their results with one another.
Curated OER
Animal Skin
Students investigate the skin surface to body area ratios for different animals. In this seventh/eighth grade mathematics/science lesson, students explore heat transfer between an animal’s body and the environment. Using...
Willow Tree
Measurement
Build a basic understanding of units of measure and create a great foundation for your learners. The activity gives a complete overview of everything measurement, from types of measurement to rounding to conversions — it has it all!
Curated OER
Water Pollution Lesson Plan: All Messed Up
Students map and calculate the area of the school parking lot and then the volume of water falling on the school parking lot. They map the route surface runoff will take to the nearest water body and describe the roles that human...
Curated OER
Geometry and Shapes
High schoolers discuss and identify polygons and lines. In this geometry lesson plan, learners review liner, square and cubic units so they can incorporate it into the lesson plan on measurement and creating packing that are cost effective.
Curated OER
Cooking Up Something Good
Students compare and convert units of measurement within the United States customary system and within the metric system by baking cookies. Students discuss how to double the cookie recipe, how to make only half of the recipe, and how to...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
The Pinch Test
Test your pupils' understanding of the scale from macro to atomic. While displaying images of different materials, learners identify what they would need to make that material visible. Their choices range from the human eye to an...
LABScI
Freezing Point Depression: Why Don’t Oceans Freeze?
Can you go ice fishing in the ocean? Learners examine the freezing point of different saltwater solutions. Each solution has a different concentration of salt. By comparing the freezing points graphically, they make conclusions...