"Zometool brings out the play hidden within mathematics research. I have seen primary school children and grizzled old professors dive in with equal enthusiasm at the joy of mathematics."
Dr Ed Harriss, Mathematics Lecturer, Leicester University
Maxwell's Demon

"The minute I put it out their hands are busy creating. They're using it for discovery and when they create something, you can assign a tangible name or mathematical principle to it. They don't even know they're learning; as a teacher, that's exciting,"
Elaine Mendelow

Lesson Plans

These are support materials, written by teachers and used in schools.

Zometool works closely with teachers around the country to produce manuals and lesson plans. Materials are available covering maths, art, architecture and science activities from KS1 right through to university. Support for teachers also includes student workshops in schools, and formal teacher training programs.

Download lesson plans here

What and Who Can I Teach Using Zometool?

Mathematics

The Zometool System can help you deliver a wide range of concepts in the classroom. The same kit used in a primary school can be used in a high school and even higher:

In line with the National Curriculum standard

Ma3 Shape space and measure

Understanding patterns and properties of shape can be taught easily and effectively with Zometool; from simple and fundamental shapes to more complex structures.

Pupils in KS1 will be able to:

  1. describe properties of shapes that they can see or visualise using the related vocabulary.
  2. observe, handle and describe common 2-D and 3-D shapes; name and describe the mathematical features of common 2-D and 3-D shapes, including triangles of various kinds, rectangles including squares, circles, cubes, cuboids, then hexagons, pentagons, cylinders, pyramids, cones and spheres
  3. create 2-D shapes and 3-D shapes
  4. recognise reflective symmetry in familiar 2-D shapes and patterns.

Pupils in KS2 will be able to:

  1. recognise right angles, perpendicular and parallel lines; know that angles are measured in degrees and that one whole turn is 360 degrees and angles at a point total 360 degrees, then recognise that angles at a point on a straight line total 180 degrees; know that the sum of the angles of a triangle is 180 degrees
  2. visualise and describe 2-D and 3-D shapes and the way they behave, making more precise use of geometrical language, especially that of triangles, quadrilaterals, and prisms and pyramids of various kinds; recognise when shapes are identical
  3. make and draw with increasing accuracy 2-D and 3-D shapes and patterns; recognise reflective symmetry in regular polygons; recognise their geometrical features and properties including angles, faces, pairs of parallel lines and symmetry, and use these to classify shapes and solve problems
  4. visualise 3-D shapes from 2-D drawings.

Summary

Zometools are great for teaching classes on:

Pupils in KS3 will be able to:

Investigate all levels of the KS3 curricular standards, in a tactile and visually satisfying way.

Level 1

When working with 2-D and 3-D shapes, pupils use mathematical language to describe properties and positions. They measure and order objects using direct comparison, and order events.

Level 2

Pupils use mathematical names for common 3-D and 2-D shapes and describe their properties, including numbers of faces, edges and vertices. They distinguish between straight and turning movements, recognise angle as a measurement of turn, and right angles in turns. They begin to use everyday non-standard and standard units to measure length and mass.

Level 3

Pupils classify 3-D and 2-D shapes in various ways using mathematical properties such as reflective symmetry for 2-D shapes. They use non-standard units, standard metric units of length including finding perimeters, capacity and mass, and standard units of time, in a range of contexts.

Level 4

Pupils use and make geometric 2-D and 3-D patterns, scale drawings and models in practical contexts. They reflect simple shapes in a mirror line. They choose and use appropriate units and tools, interpreting, with appropriate accuracy, numbers on a range of measuring instruments. They find areas of simple shapes.

Level 5

When constructing models and drawing or using shapes, pupils measure and draw angles to the nearest degree and use language associated with angles. They know the angle sum of a triangle and that of angles at a point. They identify all the symmetries of 2-D shapes. They convert one metric unit to another. They make sensible estimates of a range of measures in relation to everyday situations. They understand and use the formula for the area of a rectangle.

Level 6

Pupils recognise and use common 2-D representations of 3-D objects. They know and use the properties of quadrilaterals. They solve problems using angle and symmetry, properties of polygons and angle properties of intersecting and parallel lines, and explain these properties. They devise instructions for a computer to generate and transform shapes and paths. They understand and use appropriate formulae for finding circumferences and areas of circles, areas of plane rectilinear figures and volumes of cuboids when solving problems.

In addition you can cover the following areas of mathematics:

What will they learn?

Zometool offers students the opportunity to make the creation, even of highly sophisticated models, an enjoyable and engaging activity. It offers substantial benefits to students that go beyond its valuable support of curricular material:

"Thinking allows beings to model the world and to deal with it effectively according to their objectives, plans, ends and desires."

"Modeling is an essential and inseparable part of all scientific activity..."

Physics

One can consider how shapes affect the strength of a structure. Set open-ended engineering challenges - build the longest bridge/tallest tower

Chemistry

For hands on, tactile investigation of molecular structures, his is very versatile set, with none of the limitations associated with "Molymod".

Build representations of discrete molecules, polymers and investigate molecular structure. Lesson plans and ideas can be provided check out this link for a typical example.

Cross-Curriculum (Art & Science)

Consider the beauty within. Every single Zometool creation is a work of art, with which you can explore the world of shape, structure and shadow.

Powerful 3D Pattern Recognition

Using Zometool requires students to (painlessly) acquire sophisticated three-dimensional pattern recognition. Each of the Strut types (Blue, Yellow, Red and Green) is a complete a system by itself; students become fluent in the features and nuances of each of these systems as well as the interactions and connections between them!

Self Confidence

One of the most rewarding aspects of using Zometool with students is to witness the pride with which they glow after their discoveries and achievements, parents have often been astonished after workshop at the what their children have built.

Big Picture Mindset

The fact that they are learning about Maths, Art, Engineering, Biology and Chemistry from the same system reinforces the interconnectedness of all things and encourages students to look for connections across disciplines broadening their perspective.

STEM

"Modeling is an essential and inseparable part of all scientific activity..."

STEM educators interested in bringing Maths, Science and Engineering to life ought to consider the power and wide application of Zometool models in their teaching.

Zometool