Contextualization

Mathematics is a science whose application is perceived in all aspects of our lives. The topic we will explore in depth in this project is "Floor Plans and Aerial Views", which has broad practical application in different areas, from engineering to art.

In mathematics, the study of this topic helps us understand fundamental concepts such as scales, proportions, areas, perimeters, as well as develop spatial skills, such as the ability to visualize objects from different perspectives. This project will not only deepen your understanding of these concepts but also challenge you to apply these skills in practice.

To start our study, we need to understand what a floor plan is. A floor plan is a graphical representation of a space seen from above, mainly used by architects and engineers to represent the layout of a building, including walls, windows, doors, stairs, etc. On the other hand, an aerial view is a graphical representation of a location seen from above, as if we were looking at it from a plane.

Importance

Now that we know what a floor plan and an aerial view are, let's understand why they are so important. Floor plans and aerial views are used in many different professions, such as architecture, engineering, landscaping, urban planning, and even in the real estate sector. They assist in space planning, spatial orientation, and decision-making regarding design and construction.

Furthermore, people who can interpret a floor plan and an aerial view have a great advantage when it comes to understanding how spaces are organized and how to move within them. This is useful not only for professionals but also in everyday life, for example, when visiting a new place or trying to assemble furniture following an instruction manual.

Practical Activity: Planning Our Own City from Floor Plans and Aerial Views

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to allow students to apply the concepts of floor plans, aerial views, scales, proportions, areas, and perimeters in the development of a model of a mini-city on a map. In addition, it will also be necessary to use research and writing skills to prepare a project report.

Detailed Project Description

Student groups should research various floor plans of different buildings (residences, schools, shops, etc.) and aerial views of real cities to compose their mini-city. Each group will draw a scaled-down floor plan of the buildings and create an aerial view of the city on paper.

In addition, students must calculate the area and perimeter of the buildings and spaces in their mini-city, which will involve geometry concepts and may also involve the discipline of physics, to understand scale concepts.

After completing the practical part, each group must write a report explaining the entire process of creating the city, including the research conducted, the choice of buildings, the drawing and calculation process of the floor plan and the aerial view.

Required Materials

• A3 paper
• Pencils, erasers, and rulers
• Internet for research
• Computer or notebook (optional, for writing the report)

Detailed Step-by-Step

1. Research and discuss as a group which types of buildings and spaces you would like to include in your mini-city (it can be a house, a school, a shop, a small square, etc.).

2. Research online floor plans of these types of buildings and spaces.

3. Draw the floor plan of the chosen buildings and spaces on an A3 paper, respecting the chosen proportion for the drawing scale.

4. Calculate the area and perimeter of each of the buildings and spaces drawn.

5. Draw the aerial view of your mini-city.

6. Write a report on the entire project, including:

   • Introduction: Explain the importance and application of floor plans and aerial views. What are they, what are they used for, and how are they used in the real world.

   • Development: Describe the process of creating your mini-city. Explain the methodology you used, the challenges encountered, and how you managed to solve them. Additionally, present the floor plans and the aerial view of the city you created.

   • Conclusions: Explain what you learned from the project, what the main discoveries were, and why you think these learnings are important.

   • Bibliography: List all the references you used to carry out the project.

Project Deliverables

1. Mini-city drawn on A3 paper, including floor plans and aerial view.

2. Calculations of the area and perimeter of the buildings and spaces in the mini-city.

3. Research and project development report.