Mandala Math Activity - Launch STEM Careers · Mandala Math Activity A Mandala is a geometric...
Transcript of Mandala Math Activity - Launch STEM Careers · Mandala Math Activity A Mandala is a geometric...
Introduction to Geometry
What is Geometry?
• The branch of mathematics that deals
with points, lines, angles, shapes, and
space.
• The study of sizes, shapes, positions,
and dimensions of things.
• The branch of math used to determine
lengths, areas, and volumes of objects.
• Plane or flat Geometry is about flat
shapes like lines, squares, circles, and
triangles.
• Solid Geometry is about 3 dimensional
shapes like spheres and cubes.
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Mandala Math Activity
Introduction to Geometry
How is Geometry used in everyday life?
1. Design, construction, and decorating a home or any building. The
geometric formulas for area and perimeter are often used for projects that
require room and object measurements. The measurements for the area
and perimeter of a floor are necessary for carpet and tile installation both in
rectangular and irregularly shaped rooms. They also assist interior
designers with creating floor plans and choosing the correct size of
furniture, tables, and rugs.
2. Outdoor projects make use of geometry as well. A gardener may calculate
the number of cubic feet (volume) of soil needed to fill a raised flower bed.
In this case, the correct equation would be base x height x width. The
formula for finding a perimeter may be used to determine how much wood
to purchase for building a fence around a yard.
3. Geometric formulas are also helpful for constructing craft projects,
informational posters, and frames for artwork.
4. Another example is computer imaging which uses geometric concepts and
figures to create animations and video games.
5. Geometry is critical in mapping. Mapping is an essential element in
professions such as surveying, navigation, and astronomy. From sketching
to calculating distances, they use geometry to accomplish their job.
6. In addition, professions such as medicine benefit from geometric imaging.
Technologies such as CT scans and MRIs are used both for diagnosis and
surgical aids. Such methods enable doctors to do their job better, safer, and
simpler.
What careers might you consider if you like and are good at
geometry?
• Architects (Buildings and Landscape)
• Engineers
• Carpenters
• Construction Workers
• Picture Framers
• Gardeners
• Astronomers
• Surveyors
• Navigation
• Artist• Medical Technicians
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Mandala Math Activity
A Mandala is a geometric design used in various
cultures as a representation of the universe. It
symbolizes perfection, harmony, and unity. They are
colorful and symmetric. Today, you will create your
own mandala using concepts of symmetry and
geometry! Both are important in math and art.
• Symmetry means that two or more
parts are identical on the opposite
sides of a plane, line, or point after a
flip, turn, or reflection.
• Reflection is a transformation in
which a figure is reflected across a
line, creating a mirror image.
• Angles are the figure formed by two
rays.
Supplies:
• Regular pencils; either with sharpeners or
lead refills
• Compasses
• Erasers
• Colored pencils, markers, and crayons
• 8.5” x 11” paper
• Scissors
Geometry is a type of math that deals with lines, shapes, and space.
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Mandala Math Activity
Instructions:
1. Using a compass, draw an 8-inch diameter circle.
a. Set the compass to 4 inches.
b. Place the point of the compass in the center
of an 8.5x11 paper in a portrait orientation so
the 8-inch circle can be drawn without
running off the page.
2. Using the scissors cut out the 8-inch circle as
carefully and as closely along the line as possible.
That helps make sure that the folding is
proportional.
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4. Once the circle is cut out, carefully fold it in half and then make a firm
crease along the fold. Fold the half circle in half again, and then once
more.
• In total, you are going to fold the circle in half 3x until it looks like a pizza
slice. Remember to firmly crease each side, but try not to rip the paper.
• It can help to use one side of the scissor handles to press down on the
paper firmly, especially when you reach the 2nd and 3rd fold. Be mindful
of the sharp side!
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Instructions (continued):
5. Once you have creased all the sides of your “pizza slice”, unfold it. You
should have a circle divided into 8 pieces, which you can easily see from
the lines, which should crisscross evenly.
6. Draw your name in bubble letters of whatever style you would like in only
one of the eight pizza pieces.
7. Once you are done writing your name, make sure the pencil outline of the
letters is bold and dark. If it is not, go back over the outline with the pencil.
8. Fold the circle in half so that your name outline is facing the inside. You
should be able to see which “pizza slice” you wrote your name on, thinly,
through the paper.
9. Shade in the other side of circle with the pencil until it is completely filled
in.
• Start towards the center with the first
letter of your name, then work your
way to the outer edge of the circular
cut out.
• Important!! The letters should touch
the TOP crease and BOTTOM
crease of the “pizza slice” section
and should be connected to one
another/touching each other
somehow.
• If you have a long name, you might
want to abbreviate.
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Instructions (continued):
10. When you carefully open up the circle, the outline of your name should be
reflected, lightly, in the “pizza slice” on the opposite half. Go over the
letters with the pencil, making sure they are bold and dark.
11. Repeat the process of folding and shading in the back of the circle, one
“pizza slice” at a time until the entire circle has been completed.
• Remember, whatever way you fold the circle in half and shade in a
triangle it will print the outline of your name on the opposite side (this is
also called a mirror image).
• Always go back over the lines to make sure they are dark and bold.
• Always fold your circle with the outlines of your names on the inside
and the shading on the outside, like a taco.
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Instructions (continued):
12. After the entire circle has been completed, the tops of the letters in one
“pizza slice” should meet up with the bottom of the same letter in another
section and form a complete circle.
15. Once you have completed this for all the rings of letters, fill each ring in
with a different color, color in the empty spaces, and watch your mandala
come to life!
This picture shows the
first letter M for the
Maddie example.
13. Carefully erase the lines connecting the top and
bottoms of your first initial in the different pizza
slices. The lines you erase should only be on
the borders of the pizza slices, and should only
connect the top and bottoms of the SAME
LETTER. Repeat for all the letters.
14. Once the lines have been erased, the letters
should merge to form some sort of ring. If you
desire, you can (carefully!) outline it in
permanent marker and erase the pencil. Or you can leave the pencil as is.