A
POLYHEDRON
RESEARCH,
DESIGN, AND BUILD
SCIENCE: GEOMETRY IN
NATURE
MATH: 3 DIMENSIONAL SOLIDS
TECHNOLOGY: GUIDED WEB SEARCH
ART: GEOMETRY IN ARCHITECTURE
WRITING: PROCEDURAL EXPOSITORY WRITING
ART: GEOMETRY IN ARCHITECTURE
WRITING: PROCEDURAL EXPOSITORY WRITING
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| STEM MASTER - Different techniques to build polyhedron models |
In class we had
already studied two dimensional figures, and had begun three dimensional figures
(volume) as part of Euclidean Geometry. In science we had studied volume in
matter, and crystals in geology and chemistry. We will combine all those
concepts in the study of complex geometrical figures and how they can apply to
structures, man-made or nature-made. This project requires the use of
technology for the research part. Follow directions and the rules for safety in
the internet.
1. RESEARCH: WEEK 1. Below you will find
a list of key words or phrases to use in your web searches. Use
them in order. You must take notes
for each one, whether on an electronic file, or by hand on your folder. The
research will be assessed, so you must keep it in order and legible. If you
think of a follow up question after each topic, go ahead, and keep track of the
sites you visited.
a. What is a polygon? What is a polyhedron? What is the
difference…? Images
b. Who was Buckminster Fuller? What was he
famous for? Images
c.
Who was the Salesian Brother of Don
Bosco (OSB) Magnus J. Wenninger? What
are the Wenninger Polyhedra Models? Images
d. What are the platonic solids? Who was Plato?
Images
e.
How to make platonic solids with plastic straws and strings? Images, videos
with instructions
By
Friday you should have completed the research, taken full notes, and you are
ready to build the simplest model. Practice by making a simple
equilateral triangle pyramid with the connection system you choose, or by making a foldout of paper (origami)
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| BASIC TRIANGULAR PYRAMID |
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| BASIC TRIANGULAR PYRAMID |
2. HOW TO: WEEK 2. Review online these
videos of the different systems of attaching the pieces. You can use
pipe-cleaners (But hardly anybody smokes pipes now), twisty-ties that close
plastic bags, cotton swabs inserted, paper clips, thin wire for framing, string/thread, fishing line…
If you use glue, hot glue or super glue you must be supervised by an adult.
Test them and be prepared to use any of them for the next phase.
3. THE REAL THING: WEEK 3. In addition to making the simple equilateral triangle pyramid, you will build an Icosahedron or a Dodecahedron using the same techniques. If you are an origami wizard and would like to try thick paper, glue and scissors, go for it!
4. EXPAND YOUR MIND:
Follow the same procedure as before for the guided web search and look up the following key words or phrases:
a) I. M. Pei Louvre expansion
b) Isamu Noguchi pyramid park
c) Kenneth Snelson sculptures
c) Geometry in nature
d) Fractals
When you are a self learner, there are endless opportunities to be amazed!
THE FINAL TORTURE: Keep your notes, take photographs of your progress. At the end, you will write A PROCEDURAL composition telling somebody how to build it from scratch. You will give instructions, with all the necessary details, for somebody else to build a polyhedron.
THE PROCEDURAL WRITING
COMPOSITION
Procedure is a process, meaning many steps taken in a logical
order. The order is important, as
results may end up very different if a step is missed, or out of order. Think
of a recipe for a cake to bake at home. A disaster may be the result if any of
the details are omitted, changed, or done in the wrong order.
You are to write the instructions to a reader so that he/she
can re-create the polyhedron of your choice. (Just not the little
pyramid…). You must follow these steps:
1. State the
objective, definitions, theory, background…
(You can be creative here, setting your experience in time and place,
how long should it take, errors made…)
2. List all the
materials and tools necessary to complete the task (Add photo with all laid
out)
3. Describe, step by
step, in order, all the activities that need to be done. Separate clearly each
step.
4. Show the finished
product with a photo.
5. Close with some motivational, inspirational remarks.
KEY COMPONENTS: Use
ordinal number words: first, second, third, fourth… Or use appropriate transitional order words:
Initially, then, afterwards, followed by, next, finally, at the end…
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