Hyperboloid of Revolution Activity

Aims:
To provide students with the opportunity to understand the key principle of the topic
through active learning.

Guidelines for Activity:

1. Set students into groups of three. Each group will be given specific materials to carry
out the task.

Materials: 2 pieces of foam board /hard cardboard or Acrylic

1 Dowel Rod/ Threaded Bar
Length of Elasticated thread

2. Individual tasks will be distributed to each pupil

Pupil 1 will shape the foam board into circular form and drill required
holes putting their numeracy skills into practice.

Pupil 2 will prepare the central axis (dowel rod)

Pupil 3 will thread the elastic through the holes that are bored in the
circular forms.

3. Each group will then be required to write a report of their findings

from the activity which will be reviewed as a whole class
discussion.

Result:
This activity will demonstrate to students how a hyperboloid of
revolution is made up of straight generators. They will be enabled
to view how this method works providing them with visual
assistance to absorb the related key principles.

Straight line Generators

Aims:
The aim of this activity is to provide students with a greater knowledge on how a
series of straight line generators form a curved surface.

Activity Guidelines:
1. Students group up into groups of two.
2. Each group get one timber frame and one length of elastic string.
3. In the groups, students work gather to weave the elastic string through the timber
frame.

Materials:

Timber frame and Elasticated thread

Result:
Completing this activity enables students to establish and identify how a series straight lines
generators form a curved surface. The class will be able to view and observe as well as
participating in class dialogue to outline the key principles that were acknowledged from the
activity.

Swept hyperboloid parabola

Aims:
In this class activity students will get a greater knowledge of Hyperbolic Paraboloid.
This activity will reinforce students knowledge as well as assisting the students
visualisation of Hyperbolic Paraboloid. This activity will relate back to Hyperbolic
Paraboloid questions and assist the students in the teaching and learning of this topic

Activity Guidelines:
Students group up into groups of two.
Each group receive eight long parabolas and eight short parabolas.
In the groups, students work gather to assemble the swept hyperboloid parabola.

Materials:
Card board cut outs

Result:
At the end of the activity student will be able construct a swept hyperboloid parabola from
the card board cut outs. The cardboard model will assist and clarify the students visualisation
of a swept hyperboloid parabola.

HYPERBOLIC PARABOLOID
Aims:
This activity acts as an introduction to the topic within structural forms and will help aid the
students visualisation and interpretation of the hyperbolic paraboloid.
Through accurately following a given list of instructions on the construction of the model, the
students hand-skills, cognitive skills and knowledge will be tested and developed.

Materials:
Cardboard, Scissors, TG equipment, spray paint.

Activity Guidelines:
1. The class will be divided into equal groups of two. Each group will be required to
complete a drawing of a parabola.
2. The students will then develop these drawings into a hyperbolic paraboloid by
assembling a series of the drawn parabolas.
3. This task will assist the development of students psychomotor skills. Each pupil
will demonstrate their ability to assemble the parabolas - spacing them equally to
form the structure.
4. Students have the option to colour code each layer of the structure. This will
enhance learning and support mixed ability.
5. Each group will complete the activity by sharing and explaining to their peers the
key findings from the task.

Result:
On completion of this activity each student will be competent on how to construct a 3D
hyperbolic paraboloid. The students will also be able to identify the correct terms and
components related to hyperbolic paraboloid.