Content Showcase: Video Library

The Gemini telescope in Hawaii is an example of architecture that moves. All observatories rotate in order to follow objects in the sky. This also provides an opportunity to explore rotations, reflections, and symmetry.

In this program we explore the properties of triangle. We do this in the context of two real-world applications. In the first, we explore the triangular trusses in the Eiffel Tower and in the process learn about key properties of triangles.

The Bank of China building in Hong Kong is a dramatic example of triangular support. The notion of triangular trusses is introduced, along with the key concepts developed in the rest of the program.

The Eiffel Tower includes quite a number of exposed triangular trusses. The properties of triangles are used to explore and explain the frequent use of triangular trusses in many building. In particular, isosceles and equilateral triangular trusses are explored.

The ancient port city of Corinth in Greece allows us to explore the evolution of sailing. The shapes of sails went from rectangular to triangular. The use of right-triangle-shaped sails changed the nature of sailing.

The Bank of China building in Hong Kong is a dramatic example of triangular support. The notion of triangular trusses is introduced, along with the key concepts developed in the rest of the program.

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.

In this program we explore the properties of angles and planes. We do this in the context of two real-world applications. In the first, we explore Japan's Himeji Castle and in the process learn about different types of angles and how they're used in a defensive fortification.

The observatory in Arecibo, Puerto Rico provides astronomers insights into the structure of our solar system. Geometrically, the solar system relies on the plane known as the ecliptic.

Himeji castle in Japan is a marvel of architecture and a startling example of geometry and military science.

In the Canadian Rockies, the Burgess Shale fossils provide a window to prehistoric Earth. Fossil layers are folded into sedimentary rocks. And sedimentary rocks are examples of parallel planes. This segment uses the properties of planes to analyze fossils.

In this program we look at applications of area and volume. We do this in the context of three real-world applications. In the first, we look at the sinking of the Titanic in the context of volume and density.