Build a Scale Model

Project Overview: Pick a room in your house, measure it, and build a miniature scale model of it using everyday materials. You will learn how to use a scale ratio to convert real measurements into model measurements, practice multiplication and division, and develop spatial reasoning skills used by professionals everyday!

Materials: 

• Measuring tape

• Glue

• Scissors

• Graph paper

• Building materials (up to you!)

  • LEGOs

  • Clay 

  • Popsicle sticks

  • Small boxes

  • Etc. 

Instructions: 

1. Pick a room in your house! Observe it and identify any main features you want to include: furniture pieces, doors, windows, etc. 

2. Use a measuring tape to measure the length, width, and height of the room. Then, measure each of the features you wanted to include in your model. Remember to use centimeters, as the metric system is best practice in science!

3. Now, it’s time to pick a scale ratio. Keep in mind, your finished floor plan should fit on a single sheet of graph paper. Here are some good options:

Scale

Definition

1:20

1 cm on model = 20 cm in real life

1:30

1 cm on model = 30 cm in real life

4. Divide each measurement of your room by the scale ratio to get the model measurement. Note down both the real measurement and the model measurement in a table with two columns. 

5. On a sheet of paper or graph paper, draw the outline of your room using your model measurements. Try adding little details where they belong, such as doors and windows. You have now created a floor plan!

6. Now it’s time to build your model. Cut strips of cardboard to match the height and length of each wall. Fold and tape or glue them together to form the walls. 

7. Using whatever materials you have, build small representations of each furniture piece. LEGO bricks work great for this! Place them inside your model in the same positions they occupy in the real room.