Modeling with Geometry

Summative Assessment

Objective:
Students will learn to use their knowledge of geometric shapes and formulas to calculate surface area
and volume in order to compare two different box structures. Students will practice their technology
skills by conducting online research of the item’s dimensions, creating a graphic organizer, and drafting
an electronic letter. Through critical thinking, they will reflect on which box structure is the best for their
company.
CA Content Standards:
• G-MG.1 Use geometric shapes, their measures, and their properties to describe objects (e.g.,
modeling a tree trunk or a human torso as a cylinder).
• G-MG.3 Apply geometric methods to solve design problems (e.g., designing an object or
structure to satisfy physical constraints or minimize cost; working with typographic grid systems
based on ratios).
• G-GMD.3 Use volume formulas for cylinders, pyramids, cones, and spheres to solve problems.

Designing your Drinks

Background:
In the “Graphic Organizer” assignment earlier in the unit you explored how to use dimensions
to solve for the surface area and volume of an object in your household. We briefly discussed
the idea that similar products can also be packaged in very different ways. One example of that
were Kleenex tissue boxes which may come in the shapes of cubes or rectangular prisms. In this
summative assessment project, you will use all of the information acquired from the unit to
solve a marketing design problem.
Assignment:
In this assignment, you will act as the product designer of a new soft-drinks company. Your task
is to determine which is the best way to package a group of 12 cans in order to reduce the use
of cardboard and plastic material. In researching the most common and standard models of
packaging drinks in groups of 12 cans, you come across the two following designs with the
following dimensions:

In both if these designs, the volume remains the same; 12 cans with 12 fluid ounces in each.
Use your knowledge of surface area to determine which of these two designs will be more eco-
friendly and use less cardboard or plastic packaging. You will create your own graphic organizer
to organize your findings (do not reuse the one form the previous assignment). After you have
come to a conclusion, you will write a letter to the company owner explaining which design is
best using your mathematical reasoning.

Directions and Steps:

o 1. Decide on type of graphic organizer you want to use to organize your findings.
You must create one from scratch on Canva (free account). For a list of different
types of graphic organizers, access to Canva, and how to navigate Canva, select
the following links:
Graphic Organizer Templates
Canva Website (search Graphic Organizer” in their search bar)
How to Use Canva (Video)

o 2. The graphic organizer must:

-Neatly organize the calculations for your surface area
-Include the comparisons of the calculated surface areas
-State your conclusion
 -Include the images of the two designs

o 3. Compose a letter to the CEO of the company. It should not be more than one
page long and must explain which design you recommend and why. You may use
fake names and information, even being creative when mentioning the company
that you are addressing. You can use the following link to help guide you in
writing your formal letter.
Writing the Basic Business Letter (Purdue Owl)

o 4. Include the following items in your letter:

-Sender’s Address
-Date
-Inside Address
-Salutation
-Body
-Closing
-Signature

o 5. Combine your letter and graphic organizer. Your letter must be in the first page
and the graphic organizer in the second page.

o 6. Submit your assignment in the “Assessments” page of the DUR website.

Please review the grading rubric to know the requirements and what is expected of this
assignment. This is an individual assignment; however, you are encouraged to talk to your peers
during class if you are feeling unsure of any sections. After you have completed the assignment,
you may submit it as an attachment to the form below. Please email me if you have any
questions at marlyn.matus@csu.fullerton.edu or refer back to the home page for more ways to
contact me.