Teaching Volume and Surface Area of Cylinders

You want to really give your students incentives to learn how to calculate the volume and surface area of a cylinder? Bring in cans of soda.

--Give them each a ruler and a can of soda.
--Tell them you need both the volume and the surface area of the can or they don't get to drink it
--Watch the percision to which they measure and calculate

Variation:

Don't like soda or drinks in the classroom? Use paper,

--Have them color it first
--Than tape it
--Than measure and calculate