The Challenge: This is a modular origami (7 squares) spinning top.
Materials needed: 7 squares of paper. Any paper will do, it doesn’t need to be origami paper.
Math concepts you could explore with this challenge: angles, geometry, origami, polygons, symmetry, vertices/intersections
I got instructions from here, but that only worked on my phone – not computer. If it doesn’t work for you, follow the link to my tweet above, and I tried to there give some photo instructions.
Depending on how you use this activity, you may engage with different mathematical standards. I’ve listed possible connected math content above. Here are a few suggestions for how you might integrate the 8 mathematical practices. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments!
7.) Look for and make use of structure. Based on the construction, what is the measure of the central angles?
8.) Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. Given the similar shapes of the 7 papers used to make this, what can you say about the similarity of the polygons visible?
arbitrarilyclose 