Timber Cruise

Using a sample of tree heights and diameters, this lesson gets students to see how foresters use problem solving to get an accurate estimate of the total volume of wood in a forest.

Subject: Problem Solving
Topics:
- Solve Multi-Step Problems
- Solve a Simpler Problem
- Use a Chart or Table
- Use Proportional Reasoning
Grades: 7 - 12
Concepts:
- Sample
- Population
Knowledge and Skills:
- Can solve multi-step problems
- Can apply the problem-solving strategy, “Solve a simpler problem”
- Can interpret data in a chart or table
- Can use proportional thinking to solve problems

Download Activity: Timber Cruise (PDF)

Problem Solving Movie:

The ForesterThe Forester

For Tami Sobol, the forest is her office. As a Forester for Plum Creek Timber Company, she is responsible for the health of hundreds of thousands of acres of trees. Using math and science is a routine part of her work.
Running time 5:10 minutes.

Watch the Movie