"In and Out Cube" Project
In this project, students can create a nice
3-dimensional shape that they will enjoy. Some students are
unfamiliar with visualizing solids, and creating their own
interesting 3-D shape will make them a little more comfortable with
the topic. Most students find this a "fun" project, and not very
difficult. They will be proud of the finished product.
The 2-dimensional pattern also provides a quick
review of 2 types of special triangles: the isosceles right triangle,
and the equilateral triangle. In studying volume and surface area of
solids, students will find that the bases of these solids are the
polygons with which they already have had experience.
The more experience students have with
3-dimensional geometric shapes, the easier it will be for them to
succeed in this their studies of volume and surface area.
The pattern is shown below. If possible, students
should construct their own pattern, using Sketchpad or compass and
straightedge, as this will provide experience in constructing
geometric figures. The pattern below is numbered and labelled to
correspond to the mathematical information given with the
pattern.
And here is the pattern, withought labels. Using
origami terminology, the solid lines are a "mountain fold" and the
dashed lines are a "valley fold". If you are not familiar with
origami terminology, go to the follow interesting web page and click
on the link that says "First, before you start...if you are a
beginner or intermediate folder, go to the following web page on
origami basics "http://www.paperfolding.com/diagrams/"
When you get to that web page, click on the link that says "First,
before you start...if you are a beginner or intermediate folder,
please review this page on origami basics, which covers folds and
bases:"
The photograph below will show you what the final
project looks like, when folded and taped together to form an
interesting 3-dimensional shape:
"The universe cannot be read
until we have learnt the language and become familiar with the
characters in which it is written. It is written in mathematical
language, and the letters are triangles, circles and other
geometrical figures, without which means it is humanly impossible to
comprehend a single word." Galilei, Galileo (1564 - 1642)
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