3D Shapes Project Ideas

Instructor: Bethany Calderwood

Bethany has taught special education in grades PK-5 and has a master's degree in special education.

Shapes are a basic part of geometry for students at all levels. These projects address three-dimensional shapes at multiple skill levels including construction, volume, and surface area.

Manipulating 3D Shapes

Manipulating three-dimensional shapes is a geometry skill that is relevant from kindergarten through adulthood. Young students can build a foundation of familiarity with the characteristics of a variety of three-dimensional shapes, while older students learn to calculate quantities such as area and volume. The ability to accurately maneuver three-dimensional shapes has a wide range of real-world applications. This project list contains ideas for three-dimensional shape manipulation at multiple grade levels.

3D Shape Construction

Objective: Use a variety of methods to construct 3D shapes.

Materials: A variety of art supplies and recycled materials. You can provide miscellaneous items for use in class or ask students to use items from home.

Students should create three separate versions of the same 3D shape, using different materials and methods.
- For example, one cube might be constructed out of four equally-sized wooden blocks, while another cube might be made of many layers of cardboard squares stacked until they formed a cube.

3D Shape Deconstruction

Objective: Explore the ways in which a 3D shape can be formed.

Materials: Styrofoam, clay, or playdough; tools for cutting; data charts

Prepare sets of 3D shapes made out of Styrofoam, clay, or playdough. Each set should include a cube, cylinder, sphere, and cone.
Give each group of two to five students a set of 3D shapes. Provide a chart for recording data (see image).

Groups should experiment with cutting apart each shape to determine different ways the shape can be taken apart and put together. For example, a sphere can be cut in halves, quarters, or slices.
Groups should record their findings on the data chart.

Volume of a Model

Objective: Use 3D shapes to construct a model and find the volume of shapes used.

Materials: Blocks of different sizes and shapes (either commercially produced or made from recycled materials), measuring tools

Provide students with building blocks, either commercially produced or homemade from recyclable materials.
Alone or in small groups, students build a structure, such as a house or vehicle. Each structure should contain at least three different types of 3D shapes.
Students should calculate the volume of the shapes used to build their structure.
Students prepare an analysis of their structure. The analysis should include the types of 3D shapes used as well as the volume of each shape used.
- For example: 3 cylindrical columns, each with a volume of 2.12 cubic inches.
Note: If you don't have sufficient materials, the project could be done in shifts. One group could build their structure, take their measurements, and photograph the structure; then take it apart and work on their calculations while the next group uses the materials to build their structure.

Surface Area

Objective: Find the surface area of 3D shapes.

Materials: A variety of classroom items in recognizable 3D shapes that can be covered in newspaper or other wrapping paper, measuring tools, newspaper or other wrapping paper

Collect an assortment of common classroom items that are recognizable 3D shapes (for example: a book is a rectangular prism, a storage container is a cylinder, and a party hat is a cone).
Students select three items and measure each item.
Students use their measurements to calculate the surface area of each item.
Students determine how much newspaper or wrapping paper they require to cover the surface of all of their items.
Students cut the necessary paper and cover their items.

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3D Shapes Project Ideas

Manipulating 3D Shapes

3D Shape Construction

3D Shape Deconstruction

Volume of a Model

Surface Area

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Manipulating 3D Shapes

3D Shape Construction

3D Shape Deconstruction

Volume of a Model

Surface Area

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