Were megalodons godfathers of the sea? Students model the bodies of different sharks using cylinders, and explore how the volume of a cylinder changes when its dimensions change. They learn that the megalodon was a massive ocean beast, but that its size may ultimately have led to its downfall.
How do you increase the horsepower of a car engine? Students calculate the volumes of different car cylinders, and explore ways to make engine even more powerful by changing the dimensions of an engine's internal geometry.
Which is better: crunchy or puffy Cheetos? Students calculate the surface area : volume ratio for each snack to determine which one tastes cheesier.