- Created by: by Alan Bass and Terrie Teegarden, San Diego Mesa College
- Type of activity: hands on activity
- Course level: Intermediate Algebra
- Topic: Geometry, volume surface area
- Materials: calculators, meter sticks, centimeter rulers, soda cans and their cartons which hold 12 or 24 cans (enough for each group of 4 students)
- Time required: 30 minutes for taking the measurements and determining the strategy, completion of the lab and write up should be done at home.
- Description: Using regular soda cans and their cardboard containers, students will calculate volume and surface area. This lab can be completed in class if an entire class period is used as students have trouble using the measuring devises. It is recommended that the students take several measurements to ensure accuracy. When calculating the surface area of the cans, they can ignore the indentations on the bottom and top, and assume that they are flush with the side.
- Implementation notes (follow up/discussion questions, pedagogical recommendations, etc.):
- Would these new ‘cans’ hold the same amount of soda as the original cans?
- What dimensions would the ‘cans’ have if you wanted to ensure that they held the same amount of soda? How would this change the dimensions of the container?
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