Paper Polyhedra

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Consider This

For this challenge, you will build a paper polyhedra! How can 2D shapes fit together to make 3D objects?

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Assembly Tips:

• Start with a star:
  Hook 5 pieces around one joint. Keep all pieces facing the same direction (design side up).
• Building onward:
  • Every new piece tucks under one and connects to the next.
  • Hook onto three parts each time.
  • You’ll start seeing patterns — like colors connecting in pairs.
  • 3s and 5s alternate. Each corner will become either a 3-point or 5-point connection.
• Helpful hints:
  • If pieces rip, use tape.
  • Don’t force it flat — let it curve and billow.
  • Stay patient and go slow. The pattern starts to feel natural.

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Video Transcript:

Ryne:
Hey everybody! How’s everyone doing?
Ryne and Matt here from Flux, and we were sent a pretty cool STEAM challenge that we want to try out ourselves.

Matt:
Yeah, this one’s from Ms. Dweck from the East Penn School District — Willow Lane Elementary School.
What’s up fifth graders? Thanks for sending this in!

Ryne:
So, the message we got said:
“Hey, I’m looking to have students assemble this paper polyhedra — see the link below.”
And we’re like… paper polyhedra? What is that?

Matt:
In geometry, a polyhedron (plural: polyhedra) is a 3D shape made of flat polygon surfaces.

Ryne:
Right! So basically, we’re taking these shapes, folding them, and connecting them to make a polyhedron.

Matt:
What shape are we starting with?

[Music transition]

Ryne (one week later):
Alright Matt, I went to the website, printed the pieces, and cut one out.
Looks pretty easy.

Matt:
Yeah, this is the shape we’re starting with.
Good news: you cut one.
Bad news: we need 30.

[Music sting]

Ryne:
30?? Why don’t we just use the laser cutter?

Matt:
Let’s get to cutting. We need 30 of these!

Ryne (joking):
I can’t help you, Matt. Pick up the scissors!

Matt:
Come on… help me out!

Ryne:
Okay, okay. Not even a lefty, and here I go!

[Scene change: laser cutter]

Ryne:
Alright Matt, we cut our pieces. Now it’s time to put them together!

Matt:
Let’s do it. Ms. Dweck linked to a blog called Deceptively Educational — “the coolest paper craft we’ve ever done.”
Just cut paper, add patience and determination, and you’ve got yourself a paper polyhedron ball.

Ryne:
We need to combine these 30 pieces to make a ball. How long will this take?

Matt:
You’ve got 30 minutes, right?
Let’s say five. The other 25 will be us celebrating our friendship.

Ryne:
Easy there...

[Laughter and music]

Ryne (reading instructions):
“Start by making a star. Hook five pieces around one joint. See top-right photo.”
Alright, let’s try it.

Matt:
Yep, got my pieces.

Ryne:
Now experiment — a little determination, a little patience.

Matt:
Not going well here. Yours doesn’t look great either.

Ryne:
Remember: each joint connects 3 or 5 pieces. When adding a new piece, tuck it under existing hooks.
It’ll billow out — not lie flat.

Matt:
Then let’s do it! I’ve got three pieces connected!

Ryne:
Great — only took an hour!

Matt:
Let’s just keep going. Feel the flow. Let the paper guide us.

Ryne:
Do you know what you’re doing?

Matt:
Do YOU? Where’s the professional here?

Ryne:
We can finish this. Come on!

Matt:
I’ve got an idea.

[Music montage — fast forward to later]

Ryne:
We did it!
We figured out a pattern that works: threes and fives started making sense, and it all came together.

Matt:
Now let’s show everyone how we did it.

‍Ryne:
Two thousand years later… (just kidding)
We did it!

Matt:
Huge thanks to Ms. Dweck and her awesome fifth graders from Willow Lane Elementary in Macungie, PA!

Ryne:
If you’ve got more STEAM or STEM challenges, send them our way — via Twitter, our website, email — wherever!

Matt:
We’re always up for fun, hands-on projects!

Both:
Alright, let’s get out of here. Jinx!

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