Student Activity
Conic Section Stamps

In this activity you can experiment with conic sections by designing your own and making stamped images of the conic section that you have created.

1. Materials


Transparency Master 		You will need the following items:
  1. A cone (the kind you put ice cream into).
  2. A small paint brush.
  3. Latex paint (water soluble).
  4. Some old clothes (in case you drip or spill paint).
  5. An inked stamp pad.

2. Create a "cut-able" cone.


Transparency Master 		The cones which hold ice cream are very brittle. They tend to shatter if you try to cut them.

So that you can cut your cone it will need to be treated to a coat of latex paint, inside and out.

Allow the paint to dry overnight.

Latex is a rubbery substance. It will soak into your cone. When the water evaporates, the cone will be slightly soft and rubbery. It can be easily sliced with a serrated bread knife.

3. Create a Conic Section


Transparency Master 		Decide on the conic section that you would like to make.

Using a pencil carefully draw a line on the cone, along which your cone will be cut to create your conic section

Cut carefully.

4. Print Your Conic Section


Transparency Master 		The cone may have been slightly soft when it was cut. Use your fingers to gently re-form the conic section if the pressure from cutting deformed the cone.

Allow the cone to harden for another day or two.

Finally, when the conic section you have created has hardened, buff the cut edge on a piece of fine sandpaper on a flat surface to ensure that the inked surface will make good contact with a piece of paper when you print the conic section.

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