The resulting data is entered into a spreadsheet along with the formula for perimeter and area. This project is conducted off the Web and only the graph of the collected data is posted. It requires that the students construct a simple three dimensional figure to explore size differences in surface area and volume of apparently similar objects. The Box Project serves as an introduction to polynomials for middle school students who are preparing to take algebra. By entering the length, width, and height of their box into a spreadsheet and inserting the formulae for surface area and volume, the students see knowledge of abstract concepts can apply to concrete objects.
Students learn how to use the paint program to create a tessellation.
Once the student has created a tessellation in the previous lesson, the student learns how to write a simple html file to create a web page where their tessellation creates a seemless background. Fractals are first created using Fractint for Windows and then tessellated using an image editor. The students produce their first Web page in ET class. The point of this lesson is to insert their own tessellating fractal image into their own WebPages to test the image's ability to tessellate. This lesson leads into the next project where the students create a small Website on disk using graphics that they created as well as ones they found on the Web.