Math plays an essential role when it comes to construction. All building projects require using principles of geometry, arithmetic, and trigonometry. To help your high schooler practise math using a more hands-on approach, we’ve rounded up five activities they can do right from home.
Mini greenhouses are beautiful enclosures that you can use to grow seedlings or keep delicate plants warm. Here’s how to make one from scratch using some old wooden picture frames with glass panes.
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Did you know?
This activity is ideal for understanding angles and the characteristics of a rectangular prism.
Why build a conventional bookshelf with parallel shelves when you could create a far more interesting design with just four wooden crates? This activity is all about arranging solids in space. Here’s what your teen will need to do:
Before your teen starts building their bookshelf, suggest making a construction drawing. This will help them avoid missing any steps and make sure they have all the materials at hand.
All you really need to make a wall-mounted coat rack are a few hooks or knobs and something to attach them to. Have your teen come up with their own design, or suggest materials they could use:
Ask your child to calculate the area of the backing they choose (e.g., a skateboard) so that they can space the hooks or knobs evenly. This will ensure their coat rack is visually balanced.
While it’s possible to build a birdhouse entirely out of wood, it’s just as effective, not to mention much easier, to use an empty milk carton.
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Your teen will be able to use their math skills at various points during this activity:
The neat thing about wooden cube puzzles is that they’re really six puzzles in one. They make a great gift for younger siblings!
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Your child will need to use a mitre saw or bow saw to cut the lumber into cubes. Make sure they’re supervised by a responsible adult.
Writing : The Alloprof Parents' team