Introduction
Photo Credit: Ralph Claus Grimm/Nikon Small World
Welcome: The Geometry Of It All
Description: In this WebQuest, you will explore photos of objects under the microscope and look for geometric polygons and 3-dimensional shapes.
Grade Level: 9-12
Curriculum: Geometry
Keywords: Math, Geometry, Microscope, Polygons, 3-Dimensional Shapes,
Author: William Revak
Introduction: Geometry is present everywhere in the world around us, both the natural and the man made. You will be looking at it on a microscopic level and determining what geometric shapes and figures can be recognized. When you can see geometric figures in real life objects, you can create connections between objects in the world.
Florida State Standards:
- SP.PK12.US.13.1
- MAFS.K12.MP.7.1
- MAFS.912.g-MG.1.1
Photo Credit: Henri Koskinen/Nikon Small World
Task
You have been selected by the Museum of Modern Art to help create an exhibit for their new "Geometry of It All" Exhibit. Your mission is to find a picture that displays at least 4 geometric shapes and 3-D figures. After describing the shapes and figures, you will recreate one at the magnification of the picture, so exhibit goers can see what that part of your object would look like if it was enlarged. The museum has requested a poster and model for the display.
Photo Credit: Evan Darling/Nikon Small World
Process
It is time to get started! You must create an exhibit about geometry on the microscopic level. Look for a picture that speaks to you and contains geometric figures. Your exhibit will include a model of what the one of those geometric shapes would look like if it was enlarged.
- Know your 3-D Shapes: If for some reason you forgot all the shapes geometry has to offer: Some common ones, Standard Polyhedra, 100's of Animated Polyhedron Models.
- Find a microscopic picture (some object magnified n-times) that you like and displays 4 geometric figures. Here are some starting off points for your search, but don't feel confined to these: 50 Things Under A Microscope Video (Warning, Dubstep Music), More Things Under A Microscope Video, The Top Microscopic Images of 2013 Video, 2015 Nikon Small World Contest Winner Website.
- Print out your picture and place it on a poster displaying the geometric figures and describing them. Make sure you give proper credit to the photographer.
- Create a model with a volume between 125-1331 cubic centimeters. You can use any medium you like - Clay, Paper, 3D-Printer, etc. Watch these videos for assistance in building your model: Toothpicks and Clay , Nets For Paper Folding (Printable).
- Estimate how many times bigger your model might be than the real thing. Add this information to the the poster. For instance, in the above picture the brown cylinders are little animals called rotifers. Rotifers are about 2 mm long, so we can estimate their volume at .2512 cubic mm, which is .0002512 cubic cm. So, if our model cylinder has a volume of 500 cubic cm, then it is about 1,990,445 times bigger than the actual animal.
- We will display our posters and models in a "Geometry of it All" art exhibit in the cafeteria in two weeks! Your poster and model should be able to stand alone as an exhibit (no verbal presentation). Check you work with the rubric in the evaluation section to make sure your exhibit meets all the requirements.
- Have Fun!
Photo Credit: Charles B. Krebs/Nikon Small World
Evaluation
The Museum of Modern Art sent along a rubric to make sure your exhibit matches what they are looking for:
|
Excellent 100%-80% |
Average 70%-40% |
Poor 30%-0% |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Magnified Picture 50 Points |
Picture is of a magnified object with good resolution (crisp and clear). Picture has at least 4 geometric shapes. Picture object is labeled. Proper credit given to photographer. |
Picture is blurry, or not of a magnified object. Picture has less than 4 but more than 2 geometric shapes. Picture labeled incorrectly or poorly. Proper credit is given to photographer. |
Picture is very blurry or of very poor quality. Picture has less than 2 geometric shapes. Picture not labeled. No credit given to photographer.
|
|
Poster 60 Points |
Poster has all required information (Picture with label and credit, shapes found in picture, description of model) Poster is neat and well-organized. Where shapes are found in the picture can be seen through description or arrows. Shapes are labeled and general geometric information is included. |
Poster is missing some of the required information. Poster is somewhat neat.
|
Poster is missing a lot of information. Poster is sloppy and/or disorganized
|
|
Model 70 Points |
Model is well made and represents a geometric object. Dimension of model, including volume are labeled clearly on the poster. Model's volume is within the given parameters. Number of times bigger than actual shape from the picture has been estimated well and is clearly labeled on the poster with actual volume vs model volume. |
Model is decently made and represents a geometric object. Some dimension of the model are not labeled on the poster, but volume is still included. Model's volume falls somewhat outside of given parameters. Number of time bigger than actual shape is estimated well, but estimated original size is not displayed on poster (or other missing information). |
Model is sloppy or seemingly rushed. Dimensions of model are missing from the poster. Model's volume falls well outside of the given range. Number of times bigger than actual shape is estimated extremely poorly, or not included. |
Photo Credit: Richard R. Kirby/Nikon Small World
Conclusion
Excellent! You have not only discovered some of the hidden geometric shapes of the magnified world, but you have created an exhibit that allows others to view this wonderful connection between geometry and the world around us.
I hope you had fun finding The Geometry of It All
Photo Credit: Noah Fram-Schwartz/Nikon Small World
Credits
Creator: William Revak
Image Credits given on pages with images, but they are all from Nikon Small World Competitions.
Teacher Page
Name: William Revak
Subject: Geometry
Grades: 8-10
Email: ajarofnicethings@gmail.com
Feel free to contact me with any and all questions.