Cylinders and scale
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=250
A lesson plan for grades 7–8 Mathematics
In this lesson, students learn about the extreme limits of scale. This lesson is designed to build upon students’ ability to build structures and to learn about mathematical and engineering relationships like length, area, and volume. Once students have reviewed cylinders and their practical uses, they discuss volume measurement. Then, using directions from the Exploratorium website, students construct cylinders on various scales. After completing the activity, students discuss the project and try to imagine how their cylinders would differ with other units of measurement. Science NetLinks provides student handouts, teacher resources, links to necessary web resources, and directions for completing the activity. This lesson also contains links to similar lessons from Science NetLinks, Illuminations, and Nye Labs.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Mathematics (2004)
Grade 7
- Goal 2: Measurement - The learner will understand and use measurement involving two- and three-dimensional figures.
- Objective 2.02: Solve problems involving volume and surface area of cylinders, prisms, and composite shapes.
Grade 8
- Goal 2: Measurement - The learner will understand and use measurement concepts.
- Objective 2.01: Determine the effect on perimeter, area or volume when one or more dimensions of two- and three-dimensional figures are changed.
