- Activity 1: Having fun with objects
Submit a photo of the most interesting object you have made (including the types and numbers of pieces that you used to make the object) to have it included in the Fan Zone section of our gallery. The objects below are an example of the wide range of possibilities when building an object. Your creations are limited only by your imagination!
Submit photo here
- Activity 2: Prisms, pyramids and antiprisms
We have names for different families of objects. Below is a guide explaining Prisms, Pyramids and Antiprisms. Using this guide and your GeoGenius Construction Kit pieces, make as many prisms, pyramids and antiprisms as you can.
Prisms
PRISM is the name given to an object with identical parallel polygon bases and other faces made of parallelograms. If the sides of the prism are made using a rectangle, the prism is called a rectangular prism. The GeoGenius Construction Kit can be used to make rectangular prisms. The four rectangular prisms are called (clockwise from top left):
- triangular-based prism
- square-based prism
- hexagonal-based prism
- pentagonal-based prism
The name of a prism is determined by the name of the shape of the base.
Pyramids
PYRAMID is the name given to an object with a polygonal base whose other faces are all triangles which meet at a point called the apex. If the apex of the pyramid is above the centre of the base, the pyramid is called a right pyramid.
The GeoGenius Construction Kit can be used to make right pyramids. The four right pyramids are called (clockwise top left):
- triangular-based pyramid
- square-based pyramid
- hexagonal-based pyramid
- pentagonal-based pyramid
The name of a pyramid is determined by the name of the shape of the base.
Antiprisms
ANTIPRISM is the name given to an object with identical parallel polygonal bases joined by an alternating band of triangles. The GeoGenius Construction Kit can be used to make antiprisms. The four rectangular antiprisms are called (clockwise from top left):
- triangular-based antiprism
- square-based antiprism
- hexagonal-based antiprism
- pentagonal-based antiprism
The name of a prism is determined by the name of the shape of the base.
- Activity 3: Prism, pyramid and antiprism patterns
In order to complete this activity, you should be aware of the following vocabulary:
The 2-D shapes (polygons) used to make 3-D objects (polyhedra) are referred to as the faces of the object (polyhedron). The place where two faces of an object meet is called an edge. The place where the edges of an object meet is called a vertex.
Prism, Pyramid and Antiprism Patterns - Activity 4: Platonic solids
If all of the sides of a shape are the same length and all of the angles of the shape are the same size, then the shape is called regular or a regular polygon.
There are 6 regular shapes (polygons) in the GeoGenius Construction Kit: equilateral triangle, square, regular pentagon, hexagon, octagon and decagon. Platonic solid is the name given to an object that has identical regular shapes (polygons) for all of its faces. These solids are named after the ancient Greek philosopher, Plato.
It can be shown that there are only five possible objects which have the property that all of their faces are made from identical, regular polygons. Use the shapes (polygons) in the GeoGenius Construction Kit to make each of the Platonic solids. The activity pdf is a useful guide.
Platonic Solids - Activity 5: Building (constructing) objects
Follow the images provided in the handout to guide you in constructing your own objects.STEP 1: Download the activity PDF.
STEP 2: Gather the shapes and elastics that you will need to construct the chosen object.
STEP 3: Fold each of the tabs on the side of the shape along the crease by gently pushing the piece onto a solid surface such as a table.
STEP 4: Hold the tabs of two pieces together and place an elastic band around the two tabs to join the pieces. Repeat as required to complete the object that you are constructing.
Building objects - Activity 6: Archimedean solids
The collection of solids made from regular polygonal sides of two or more types that meet in a uniform pattern around each vertex are called the Archimedean solids. The solids are named after Archimedes who is the first person to have described them. It can be shown that there are 13 possible Archimedean Solids.
Use the shapes (polygons) in the GeoGenius Construction Kit to make each of the Archimedean solids.
Archimedean Solids - Activity 7: Making nets of objects
Making nets of objects:
- Make nets for and construct a range of different objects.
- Use the GeoGenius Construction Kit to explore how many different nets you can use to make a particular shape.
Rather than making an object from individual faces as we do when we use the GeoGenius Construction Kit, it is also possible to do so by cutting out what is called the net of the object and folding and pasting this together. The GeoGenius Construction Kit is a powerful tool that can be used to design the nets of objects. To do so simply follow the steps below:
- Activity 8: Making stellated objects
By extending the edges or faces of an object until they meet again, we can create what are called stellated objects – stellated because they look like stars. Use the pieces in the GeoGenius Construction Kit to make the objects below.
Stellated Objects - Activity 9: Making faceted objects
By removing solid pieces from a polyhedron, it is possible to make what are known as faceted polyhedrons. Use the pieces in the GeoGenius Construction Kit to make the faceted objects below.
Faceted Objects - Activity 10: Make your own Construction Kit pieces
Using the templates for each of the Construction Kit pieces, create your own kits from recycled cardboard!
Make your own Construction Kit pieces
