Group Discussion Worksheet: The Cable Support &
Flagpole Project
Case Study Scenario
The Student Council of Nusantara Middle School is setting up
for an outdoor festival in the school yard. To support the main stage display,
they need to secure two main flagpoles that stand next to each other.
- Pole
A is 12 meters tall.
- Pole
B is 20 meters tall.
- The
ground distance between the bases of the two poles is 15 meters.
To prevent the poles from swaying in the wind, the team must
stretch a tight steel cable directly from the top of Pole A to the top of
Pole B.
Discussion Questions & Tasks
- Create
a Geometric Sketch
Draw a diagram showing the two poles, the ground distance,
and the steel cable. Convert your drawing into a 2D geometric shape containing
a right-angled triangle.
- Calculate
Cable Length
Using the Pythagorean theorem, calculate the exact minimum
length of steel cable needed to connect the top of Pole A to the top of Pole B.
- Budget
Analysis (Problem Solving)
- The
steel cable costs $2 per meter.
- The
team has a budget of $35. Is this budget enough to purchase the
required length of cable? Show your calculations and explain why or why
not.
- Critical
Thinking Challenge
If Pole A is moved further away so that the distance between
the bases becomes 24 meters, will the team need a longer or shorter
cable? Prove your answer with a quick calculation.
Group Discussion Worksheet: The SAR Drone Rescue Mission
Case Study Scenario
A Search and Rescue (SAR) team is operating a drone to
deliver emergency medical supplies to a flood relief shelter.
- The
drone launches from Base Camp (Point O).
- First,
the drone flies due East for 12 km to reach Checkpoint A.
- To
avoid a storm ahead, the drone turns and flies due North for 9 km
to reach Shelter B.
After delivering the supplies, the drone's battery is at 15%.
The drone features an emergency Return-to-Home system, which makes it
fly straight back to Base Camp using the shortest direct path.
Discussion Questions & Tasks
- Create
a Navigation Diagram
Draw a map showing the drone's flight path from Base Camp
(Point O) 
Checkpoint A Shelter B direct return to Base Camp (Point O). What
geometric shape is formed by this flight path?
- Calculate
Return Distance
Using the Pythagorean theorem, calculate the exact direct
distance (straight line) from Shelter B back to Base Camp.
- Battery
Capacity Analysis (Problem Solving)
- The
drone consumes 1% of battery power for every 1 km flown.
- With
15% battery remaining at Shelter B, will the drone make it back to
Base Camp without running out of power? Explain your reasoning with
calculations.
- Critical
Thinking Challenge
Compare the total distance flown during the outbound leg
(Base Camp Checkpoint A Shelter B) with the return leg (Shelter
B Base Camp). How many kilometers does the drone
save by flying straight back?
