Straw models

Straw models

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about making 3-D shapes.
Practical task

Use the straws to make skeleton models like the ones drawn below.

  • You have 5 straws to make the pyramid, and 8 straws to make the rectangular prism, but you do not have to use all the straws.
  • Cut the straws to the lengths you need and join them together with sellotape.

a)     pyramid
b)     rectangular prism

straw-models-pyramid.png
straw-models-rectangular-prism.png

 

Task administration: 
This task can be completed with other equipment.
 
Equipment
13 straight drinking straws (e.g., "Good Cook" brand); scissors; ruler; sellotape.
Level:
3
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Geometry and Measurement, Shape
Keywords: 
model construction, 3-dimensional shapes, pyramids, rectangular prisms
Description of task: 
In this practical task students use straws to construct skeleton models of 3-dimensional shapes from given drawings.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Geometric thinking, sets 3-4
within the Mathematics Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
a) The model has a square base.
The straws that meet at the apex are the same length.
b) The model has two rectangles the same size and shape.
The rectangles are joined at right angles with straws the same
length.