Ideas Sparked by ThingLink! How to use 360 Media with VR in Maths
✨ ThingLink Idea Spark: Secrets of the Pyramids: Maths in Ancient Architecture
Bring ancient engineering to life with immersive VR. In this experience, students step inside the world of the Great Pyramid to explore geometry, ratios, and measurement in context. By linking maths with history through interactive hotspots, learners see abstract concepts come alive in a real-world setting. This approach not only deepens understanding of geometry but also sparks curiosity, critical thinking, and appreciation for the innovation of ancient civilizations.
Exploring the Pyramids in VR 360 and 3D: Tools and Techniques
This immersive learning experience was created with a combination of digital tools. ThingLink was used to design and connect the interactive scenes. The 360° image of the Great Pyramid of Giza (available in the ThingLink library) provided the core environment. Meshy.ai produced 3D models with accurate proportions and scale. As always – educators are encouraged to adapt prompts to suit specific educational contexts and cultural backgrounds to ensure relevance and inclusivity.
Experience Title: Secrets of the Pyramids: Maths in Ancient Architecture
Theme or Subject: Maths, History, Architecture
Age or Stage: Secondary (ages 11–14, adaptable upwards)
Experience Length: Medium (20–40 mins)
Keywords / Tags: geometry, measurement, ratios, problem-solving, STEM, history
Experience Flow
Hook / Entry Point
Learners begin with an outside image of the Great Pyramid. A hotspot at the peak poses the question:
“How did ancient Egyptians build such a precise structure thousands of years ago without modern tools?”
Exploration (Hotspot Placements)
On the outside image:
- Base hotspot: Show base length and ask learners to calculate perimeter.
- Side hotspot: Present slope height for angle calculations.
- Volume hotspot: Give dimensions for volume calculation.
- Golden Ratio hotspot: Explore and debunk the myth.
Challenge / Deepening
A “what if” hotspot near the base asks:
“If you wanted to build a mini-pyramid in the schoolyard with the same proportions, and each block = 0.5m³, how many would you need?”
Reflection / Exit Point
A reflection hotspot placed in the sky above the pyramid prompts:
“What surprised you about the maths of the pyramids?”
“What does this tell us about ancient Egyptian knowledge?”
Support & Flexibility
- Resources Needed: Outside image of the Great Pyramid, embedded 3D pyramid model, calculator, worksheet or digital notes such as a collaborative Google or Word Doc
- Support: Step-by-step guided calculation prompts.
- Extension: Compare pyramid geometry with Mayan or Aztec pyramids.
Experience Extensions
- Cross-curricular: Link to history and ancient engineering.
- Real-world: Compare to modern architecture and skyscrapers.
Outcomes
- Learning Focus:
Knowledge (geometry, measurement, historical context)
Skills (problem-solving, scaling, inquiry)
Values (appreciation of ancient innovation
Experience Outcome
Learners apply mathematical concepts (angles, ratios, volume) to real-world structures and reflect on the ingenuity of ancient civilizations.
