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
The Challenge: Construct a rectangle using a compass.
Materials needed: Compass, straight edge, writing utensil
Math concepts you could explore with this challenge: angles, circles, geometric construction, geometry, lines, polygons, slope, symmetry, vertices/intersections
The Challenge:
Materials needed: whiteboard?, pencil/paper?
Math concepts you could explore with this challenge: circles counting, knot theory, topology, vertices/intersections
The challenge: To create this circular grid and then design using it.
Materials needed: Compass OR Desmos geometry.
Math concepts you could explore with this challenge: circles, proportions/ratios, symmetry
The challenge: Create a complete (all 16 spaces) 4 set venn diagram.
Materials needed: Pencil, paper, other??
Math concepts you could explore with this challenge: circles, combinations & permutations, graph theory, probability, vertices/intersections
The Challenge: Create a penrose triangle.
Materials needed: Pencil, paper, etc.
Math concepts you could explore with this challenge: angles, isometric grids, perspective, 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 concepts you 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 concepts you 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 concepts you could explore with this challenge: algebra, angles, circles, geometry, proportions/ratios, symmetry, vertices/intersections
The challenge: Create a Hilbert curve.
Materials needed: Paper and pencil. Grid paper is helpful.
Math concepts you could explore with this challenge: exponents, fractals, geometry, sequences, symmetry, tessellations
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