This 6th grade geometry project is an engaging, project based learning (PBL) resource where students apply area, perimeter, surface area, and volume to redesign a zoo. Your students will build true understanding with hands-on enclosure designs, real-world animal welfare guidelines, map design using the coordinate plane, and multi-step geometry tasks, including building a 3D tank using a net. Low prep for teachers + metric version included. This project takes about 4-5 lessons to complete (see full FAQ in preview file).
What’s included:
10-page student pack + teacher instructions/tips
US Customary + Metric Versions
Area & Perimeter: Rectangles, Triangles, Parallelograms, Trapezoids, Composite Figures
Surface Area & Volume: Rectangular Prisms
Zoo map activity where students plot enclosures on a coordinate plane (draw polygons) and calculate areas
Measure, Cut, Assembly of Rectangular Prism using nets and finding the surface area from a net
PBL-style open response questions to deepen understanding
Answers the question "When will we ever use this?" with real-world AZA (Associate of Zoo & Aquariums) animal manuals
Use this project during or after your Geometry unit to reinforce key concepts, assess understanding, and help students see how area, perimeter, surface area, and volume connect to real-world design challenges.
CCSS Aligned:
6.G.1 — Find the area of polygons (including rectangles, triangles, parallelograms, trapezoids) by composing/decomposing shapes.
6.G.2 — Find the volume of right rectangular prisms with fractional side lengths.
6.G.3 — Draw polygons in the coordinate plane and use the coordinates to find side lengths and distances.
6.G.4 — Represent three-dimensional figures using nets and find the surface area from a net.
This 6th grade geometry project is an engaging, project based learning (PBL) resource where students apply area, perimeter, surface area, and volume to redesign a zoo. Your students will build true understanding with hands-on enclosure designs, real-world animal welfare guidelines, map design using the coordinate plane, and multi-step geometry tasks, including building a 3D tank using a net. Low prep for teachers + metric version included. This project takes about 4-5 lessons to complete (see full FAQ in preview file).
What’s included:
10-page student pack + teacher instructions/tips
US Customary + Metric Versions
Area & Perimeter: Rectangles, Triangles, Parallelograms, Trapezoids, Composite Figures
Surface Area & Volume: Rectangular Prisms
Zoo map activity where students plot enclosures on a coordinate plane (draw polygons) and calculate areas
Measure, Cut, Assembly of Rectangular Prism using nets and finding the surface area from a net
PBL-style open response questions to deepen understanding
Answers the question "When will we ever use this?" with real-world AZA (Associate of Zoo & Aquariums) animal manuals
Use this project during or after your Geometry unit to reinforce key concepts, assess understanding, and help students see how area, perimeter, surface area, and volume connect to real-world design challenges.
CCSS Aligned:
6.G.1 — Find the area of polygons (including rectangles, triangles, parallelograms, trapezoids) by composing/decomposing shapes.
6.G.2 — Find the volume of right rectangular prisms with fractional side lengths.
6.G.3 — Draw polygons in the coordinate plane and use the coordinates to find side lengths and distances.
6.G.4 — Represent three-dimensional figures using nets and find the surface area from a net.
