NETS of a Prism

Volume and surface area become real as students design 3D-printable folding models.

While studying volume, math teacher Dotty Corbiere challenged her fifth grade students to use the 3D printer to create a net for a rectangular prism with a volume of 96 cubic units.

In teams of two students started by sketching their prism on paper. They peer-edited their work to ensure that the dimensions would produce an object with the assigned volume. Finally, the team designed their net on the computer using an online tool called Tinkercad. The creations were 3D printed and students used these physical manipulatives as models when creating nets for other shapes, such as triangular prisms. 

According to Dotty Corbiere, this project was instrumental to the learning process, as "the technology allowed students to quickly view and manipulate objects from every angle. The process stretched the fifth graders. They had to work through many steps to create a successful final product and engage in very careful measurement. The students have a much better understanding of nets and three-dimensional models because of this indepth work."