LER 4331 Ages Grades 8+ 3+ ® Activity Guide Cube Sphere Cone Cylinder Hemisphere Square pyramid Rectangular prism Pentagonal prism Triangular pyramid Triangular prism
Volume Estimation Introduce concepts of volume relationship between solid shapes with this set of 14 large View-Thru Geometric Solids. Use the shapes to estimate, measure and compare volumes in a small group or demonstration setting. Have students list, from least to greatest, the estimated volume of each solid. Students should check estimates by calculating the volume or filling each shape with water using a graduated cylinder and recording the results beside each listed shape.
Volume is expressed in cubic units of measurement: inches, feet, yards, miles, milliliters, centimeters, decimeters, meters, kilometers, etc. Using the funnel, fill the 1-liter graduated cylinder with plastic fill. Remove the base of the chosen solid and fill it with the plastic fill. Note the amount of fill required. Repeat two or three times to ensure accuracy. Repeat the process with all of the shapes.
Euler’s Formula Euler’s Formula is named after Swiss mathematician Leonard Euler. In the mid-eighteenth century, Euler discovered that for any polyhedron, F + V = E + 2. In the formula, F represents the number of faces, V represents the number of vertex points, and E represents the number of edges. For example, a cube has 6 faces, 8 vertex points, and 12 edges. F+V=E+2 6 + 8 = 12 + 2 Have the students use their data from the preceding chart to discover Euler’s Formula.
