MORGANTOWN, KY (November 6, 2025) – Fifth graders at Morgantown Elementary School recently turned their math classroom into a vibrant “Volume Zoo,” transforming abstract formulas into hands-on learning and proving that problem-solving can be both challenging and fun.

Led by teacher Ashley Robertson, the project invited students to design and construct three-dimensional zoo animals using rectangular prisms. Each creation required careful planning, measuring, and calculating to determine total volume, which are skills that align directly with Kentucky’s fifth-grade math standards (KY.5.MD.5). But beyond meeting academic benchmarks, the “Volume Zoo” inspired creativity, teamwork, and perseverance, all while showcasing the Problem Solving pillar of Butler County Schools’ Portrait of a Learner framework.

“Volume Zoo turns math from numbers on a page into something students can build, touch, and proudly display,” said Mrs. Robertson. “They don’t just memorize the formula; they understand it.”

Math in Motion

Throughout the project, students demonstrated an impressive ability to apply classroom learning to real-world design. They first created blueprints for their animals, determining how multiple rectangular prisms could combine to form a recognizable shape, like a robot, a giraffe, or even a duck. Then, using boxes and cardboard, they built their models, measuring and calculating each prism’s volume before adding them together to find the total.

This hands-on process not only deepened their understanding of math but also strengthened essential problem-solving skills. Students learned to revise their designs, test new approaches, and think critically about how each piece fit together. In the process, they developed a deeper appreciation for how math connects to engineering, architecture, and art.

“It was amazing to see how invested they became,” Robertson shared. “When students realize math has meaning beyond a worksheet, their motivation and confidence soar.”

A Celebration of Creativity and Collaboration

The culmination of the project turned Morgantown Elementary’s cafeteria into a gallery of geometric imagination. Families and classmates toured the “Volume Zoo,” where students eagerly presented their creations, explaining how they used multiplication and addition to calculate total volume. The event celebrated not only academic achievement but also the creativity and curiosity that drive meaningful learning.

Photos from the day capture students smiling beside their colorful constructions: a bright yellow robot, a sunflower standing tall, and an eagle with outstretched wings. Each display represented hours of effort, collaboration, and persistence.

The Portrait of a Learner in Action: Problem Solving

The Portrait of a Learner is Butler County Schools’ vision for the skills and attributes that prepare students for success in life beyond the classroom. One of its five key indicators, Problem Solving, was on full display in this project.

Through the Volume Zoo, students demonstrated the very essence of problem-solving: they approached challenges strategically, tested solutions, and reflected on their learning. The project also reinforced other pillars such as Collaboration and Communication, as students worked together to plan, build, and share their results.

By blending academic rigor with creative design, Mrs. Robertson helped students experience how persistence and curiosity lead to discovery, which is an essential mindset for future innovators and thinkers.

Learning That Lasts

Projects like this one illustrate Butler County Schools’ commitment to providing engaging, student-centered learning experiences that extend beyond memorization. Instead of simply practicing formulas, students experienced the mathematics behind them, making learning both meaningful and lasting.

“Hands-on learning allows students to see themselves as creators and problem solvers,” said Robertson. “When they take ownership of their projects, they begin to see learning as something active and exciting.”

The Volume Zoo also reflects Butler County Schools’ broader mission: to develop learners who demonstrate strong character, communicate effectively, collaborate with others, solve problems creatively, and act as responsible global citizens. It’s a mission that comes alive daily in classrooms like Mrs. Robertson’s.

As Morgantown Elementary’s fifth graders continue to explore new ways to apply their learning, their Volume Zoo serves as a reminder that education is most powerful when it connects knowledge with imagination.

Together, these young learners (and the teachers who inspire them) embody the spirit of Butler County Schools’ vision: “One team with one vision that makes us Butler Strong.”