Geometry (2D & 3D shapes): Triangles and Trees
Challenge level ⭐⭐
(designed for children with prior knowledge of the Year 3 and Year 4 programme of study)
Learning Objective
We are learning how to solve a natural world problem by using and applying our skills and knowledge of geometry and triangles.
Useful prior knowledge:
- To compare and classify geometric shapes according to their properties
Credit: BBC Two -How to Gow a Planet
Clip Description
Most people know that the tallest animal on the planet is the giraffe, but do you know what the tallest tree is? It’s the coast redwood – a type of giant sequoia that is coniferous. Unlike deciduous trees, many coniferous trees have cones that carry their seeds and needles that stay on the tree all year round.
In this fascinating clip, we see the presenter climbing to the very top of a giant sequoia in the coastal region of California. The tree is almost 90 m tall and around 1,500 years old. What are the ingredients that are needed for sequoias to grow to such dizzying heights? Watch the clip to find out.
Quick Whiteboard Challenge
The heaviest tree and living thing on the planet is a sequoia called the General Sherman. It has an estimated weight of 5,594 tonnes.
If a car weighs 2 tonnes, how many cars piled on top of each other would have the same weight as the General Sherman sequoia?