Author:
Carrie Robledo
Subject:
Mathematics
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Level:
Middle School
Tags:
License:
Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
Language:
English

Education Standards

6th Grade Math - Volume of Prisms

6th Grade Math - Volume of Prisms

Overview

 

 

Students will-

  • Design/create a specific object with given shapes and dimensions
  • Select which shipping box is best to safely ship that object. 

  • Calculate and subtract the volume of the box from the calculated volume of the object to determine the remaining volume of the interior of the box.

Instructor Directions

Volume of Prisms

Driving Question / ScenarioHow do you accurately calculate the volume of right rectangular prisms? Understanding the operations needed to find volume of space.
Project SummaryStudents will create
  • Will design/create a specific object with given shapes and dimensions
  • Select which shipping box is best to safely ship that object.
  • Students will calculate and subtract the volume of the box from the calculated volume of the object to determine the remaining volume of the interior of the box..
Estimated Time60 - 75 minutes
Materials / ResourcesPencils, paper, calculators (at teacher’s discretion), merge cubes, TinkerCad, tablets, set of directions, cospaces, graphing paper and rulers.5-10 minutes: Teacher will introduce the concept of volume, using fractional dimensions.15-20 minutes: Create a 3D model of the gift in TinkerCar  using the predetermined dimensions. 5- 10 minutes: Using the object’s dimensions, determine the lengths, width, and height the box will need to be to contain the object. 5 minutes: Create a representation of the shipping box in TinkerCad5-10 minutes: Calculate the volume of the gift, the object, and calculate the space left over for packing peanuts.15-20 minutes: Transfer the TinkerCad images to your Merge Cube.
Standards6.G.2-   Apply and extend previous understandings of the volume of a right prism to find the volume of right rectangular prisms with fractional edge lengths.  Apply this understanding to the context of solving real-world and mathematical problems.  
Project Outline
AskHow can knowing how to calculate the volume of an object help you?How can you determine how much it will cost to ship your gift?
ImagineYou are a toy manufacturer that has the gift every kid wants this year. The shape of the gift is similar to a right triangular prism on top of a right rectangular prism. The whole thing is 12 inches tall by 4 inches wide by 8 inches deep (at its deepest point). You need to pick the most efficient box to ship it in and calculate how much space will be left over for packing peanuts. Remember: You don’t want your work to break but you also don’t  want to use more material than you need so your costs stay low.
PlanWith your team, draw your gift using only the shapes allowed; rectangular and triangular prisms.  Determine which team member will build in TinkerCad and which will draw on the paper provided.  Draw your gift plans on graph  paper using only the shapes allowed.  Include measurements in your drawings and the volume equation for each 3D shape to calculate total volume. Start by calculating the volume of your gift.Each group member is responsible for checking team member’s measurements and making sure math is accurate.After designing your gift, you need to determine the most efficient box.Small (3units x 2units x 5 units)Medium (3units x 5units x 9units)Large (5units x 6units in x 12units).Unit values can change but the ratios must remain constantWhich would be the most appropriate box to use with the LEAST amount of space left over?   Finally, you need to calculate the space left over for packing peanuts.
CreateGo to TinkerCad and recreate your drawing.  Make sure you use the ruler and workspace tools to size your work.  When you’re ready, export your object to cospaces to mount on a merge cube.Create the correct size box for your gift in TinkerCad  choosing from the dimensions allowed:  small (3units x 2units x 5 units), medium (3units x 5units x 9units) and large (5units x 6units in x 12units).  Transfer the TinkerCad images onto your Merge Cube. Students will work in groups of 2-3.
ImproveEvaluate your work.  Could you have made a more intricate shape?  If so, what would you change about your gift design to make it more interesting?
Closure / Student ReflectionsStudents will fill out a reflection form with questions about their learning experience.
Possible Modifications / ExtensionsIdeas for extensionsExtensions: Make the gift as an irregular prism, find the volume, and the correct dimensions for the shipping box.  

 

3-5 Pre and Post Test

See PDF document in lesson resources.