Surface Area and Volume [10th grade]

The students will be introduced to the surface area and volume of cylinders, prisms, pyramids, and cones. The main questions on which the unit is focused are: - What are different ways that three-dimensional objects are described or depicted? - What types of problems are solved using three-dimensional objects? They will participate in activities to help them create the formulas for both surface area and volume and become comfortable using these formulas to solve real-world problems and create their own applications. They will also analyze the relationship between surface area and volume. The culminating activity in this unit is a project in which the students will design a new container for M&M’s. They will compare and contrast different shapes and sizes in order to determine the best container. They will calculate the surface areas and volumes of their choices and pick one container to construct. They will draw a net of this figure with all the specifications needed to manufacture the container and draw different views of the container. Finally, they will present their finished product to the class and reflect on the process