Content Showcase: Video Library

In this program we explore the properties of three-dimensional figures. We do this in the context of two real-world applications. In the first, we look at the three-dimensional structure of Mayan pyramids. These stair-step structures provide a unique opportunity to also explore sequences and series.

We visit ancient Greece to learn about the Platonic Solids. This provides an introduction to the more general topic of three-dimensional figures.

Rectangular Prisms. Mayan pyramids are essentially stacks of rectangular prisms. The volume of each successive level is a percentage decrease of its lower neighbor. This introduces the notion of a geometric sequence and series, including an infinite series.

The Shanghai Tower in China is a stack of cylindrical shapes, where each successive layer is a percentage decrease of its lower neighbor. As with the previous section, this introduces the notion of a geometric sequence and series.

In this video students learn the basics of antiprisms, in the context of New York’s Freedom Tower, which has an antiprism design. They learn the properties of antiprisms, with the focus on those with a square base.

In this video, students see a derivation of the formula for the volume of a pyramid. This involves a hands-on activity using unit cubes, along with analysis, and a detailed algebraic derivation.

In this video students learn the basics of rectangular prisms, in the context of a New York residential tower: 432 Park Avenue.

In this video students study a real-world application of triangular prisms: The Flat Iron Building in New York City. This building is an ideal example of a real-world prism and also provides a tie-in to right triangle geometry.

In this video students learn the basics of prisms and anti prisms. They learn the properties of triangular prisms, rectangular prisms, triangular antiprisms, and rectangular antiprisms.