Students measure their classroom bin, calculate its volume and compare their estimate with the smart bin data to discover why real-world measurements are rarely as simple as they first appear.
Download Worksheet 1
Students measure the dimensions of their classroom bin, calculate its volume using mathematical formulas and compare their estimate with the smart bin information. The investigation introduces measurement, estimation and the idea that real-world data often differs from theoretical calculations.
→ Measurement
→ Volume
→ Estimation
→ Unit conversion
→ 90 Minutes
→ Years 5-6
(2 lessons)
→ Print Worksheet 1
→ Gather rulers and tape measures
→ Open your classroom dashboard
Before class, spend a few minutes preparing the materials and classroom.
- Worksheet 1
- Tape measures
- Rulers
- Calculators
- Empty the bin (recommended)
- Check the device is attached
Search your classroom device to confirm everything is working before the lesson.
Follow these four stages to guide students through the investigation.
Students measure the length, width and height of the classroom bin.
Calculate the bin's volume using the worksheet formulas.
Compare the measured height with the bin height on the dashboard.
Discuss why measured and real-world values may differ.
Use these questions to encourage prediction, reasoning and discussion throughout the investigation.
- How big do you think our bin is?
- How could we estimate its volume?
- Which measurements will we need?
- Are everyone's measurements the same?
- Why might measurements differ?
- How accurate are our tools?
- Why doesn't our answer exactly match the smart bin?
- Which value is likely to be more useful?
- What did we learn about measuring real objects?
Help students measure carefully and understand why results differ.
- Measure from the inside of the bin.
- Record measurements in centimetres.
- Check your measurements twice.
- Different groups may record slightly different measurements.
- Encourage students to explain why.
- Measurement error is part of real investigations.
- Compare your calculated volume with the smart bin information.
- Discuss possible reasons for any differences.
- Focus on reasoning rather than finding one "correct" answer.
Everything you need to deliver Investigation 1.
Use these opportunities to check students' understanding throughout the lesson.
Watch students measure accurately, record data and work collaboratively.
Ask students to explain how they calculated volume and why different answers may occur.
Use completed worksheets to assess understanding of measurement, estimation and reasoning.
Students are now ready to explore how full their classroom bin is using percentages, graphs and real dashboard data.