A few weeks ago we started learning a new unit in math about surface area and volume of 3D shapes. We started off with learning how to do the formulas of one shape by itself. At first I was confused and it was hard for be to wrap my head around the concept but then we were introduced to a new project to help us understand the math and make it fun. The project was called monster maker math project which helped us learn more advanced concepts of the surface area and volume faster. We first did the formula with a couple of shapes like a cylinder and cuboid and to add them together. We then went onto doing calculations for the shapes of the body part of the monster and adding them together to make the full monsters as groups. After doing the calculations, we then compared them with other people in other groups to show the work we had done. To make this projects a hands-on learning project, we then designed our own monsters and brought into class materials such as cardboard boxes and art supplies to build the monsters. Following this we did the calculations of our monsters and they will be actually tied into a project we are going to be doing in Humanities called Frankenstuffies.
This is the monster I created:
To build my monster I used a tissue box for the body, a part of a yogurt container for the head, pipe cleaners twisted together for the arms and styrofoam balls for the hands. As well, I used a cereal box and cut out legs for my monster. Once I had the base of my monster by using all these materials, I started to decorate and design my monster so it wasn’t just a few pieces of cardboard glued together, I decided to create a Mummy.
I started off by painting the whole body of the monster with black paint so you couldn’t see the materials I used to create this project. After painting the mummy, I cut out long strips from white felt and hot glued a bunch of pieces to the body of my monster. After having done all that to put my monster together, I attached the arms to create the final look but there was one thing it needed: eyes. I decided to use some old magnets I found as eyes, painted them black then I hot glued them to the body.
After finishing our monsters, we then used them to do a calculation of their body for surface area and volume. Here are my calculations for all my monsters:
These are my final volume and surface area calculations:
This project really helped me understand the surface area and volume concepts a lot faster and easier because it gave me a hands on experience for this part of math. I really liked this assignment and I can’t wait to see how they integrate into the project and work we will soon be doing in Humanities.