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 conceptsyou could explore with this challenge: angles, geometry, origami, polygons, symmetry, vertices/intersections
A crocheted knot with the phrase “but if you change some crossings…”
The Challenge:
Look. I get it. Every time I post a knot theory #mathartchallenge, it’s crickets. But I take great pride in my inability to take a hint.
Any (?) knot can be untangled if you change the right (?) crossings from over to under or under to over. So get a knot, and untangle! pic.twitter.com/WBqTKameNR
Materials needed: whiteboard?, pencil/paper? Math conceptsyou could explore with this challenge: circles counting, knot theory, topology, vertices/intersections
A complete 3 set Venn diagram, and an incomplete 4 set Venn diagram.
The challenge: Create a complete (all 16 spaces) 4 set venn diagram.
Materials needed: Pencil, paper, other?? Math conceptsyou could explore with this challenge: circles, combinations & permutations, graph theory, probability, vertices/intersections
The challenge: Create a rainbow and get it reflected in a curved surface to reveal a rectangle. All credit here to Woolly Thoughts! (They have wonderful things for you to play with there.)
Materials needed: I crocheted mine, which was a fun puzzle to get an even rainbow. They have knitting instructions on their website, but you could just as easily draw this with markers. I used tinfoil as my reflective surface wrapped around a nail polish remover bottle. I bet you all get more creative than myself. Math conceptsyou could explore with this challenge: circles, geometry, perspective, proportions/ratios
The challenge: This is another game (like sprouts). Great to play with a friend, can even be challenging for you to play against yourself! Lots of variety of how you decide who “wins”.
Materials needed: paper, pencil/pen Math conceptsyou could explore with this challenge: probability
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!
1.) Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. What strategy will most likely end with you winning? Do you want to start or go second?
8.) Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. If you play until all boards are filled, what is the expected number of 3 in a row?
The Challenge: Build yourself a wobbler. Wobblers are 2 circle (or 2 ellipse!) constructions that have a constant center of mass. Or rather, a center of mass that doesn’t move up and down as the wobbler rolls. Thus, resulting in a satisfyingly continuous “wobble”.
Materials Needed: cardboard, ruler, boxcutter or scissors Math conceptsyou could explore with this challenge: algebra, angles, circles, geometry, proportions/ratios, symmetry, vertices/intersections
Materials needed: Paper and pencil. Grid paper is helpful. Math conceptsyou could explore with this challenge: exponents, fractals, geometry, sequences, symmetry, tessellations