This is an activity to have student teams utilize different volume measurement techniques on real items they have to provide the volume and the technique used. The item list in this activity can be changed to include objects you have in your classroom. You want to make sure you have both regular and irregularly shaped objects. I often have several of each item in the list so teams are not waiting for each other to finish to get another item to take measurements. This requires the students to understand what volume truly means and measures about matter of our world. This is VERY important as making calculations or taking measurements are second to having a very good understanding of what volume is.

Your students will need to be able to use various regular shaped volume equations as well as understand how to use displacement to measure volume prior to this activity. They should also be versed in the use of rulers (I require everything to be done in metrics!), graduated cylinders, beakers, etc. They should also have a grasp of the different metric units of measurement used for volume.

There is a challenge item included in the list of materials for teams finished early or more advanced groups.