FCH - FUN GEOMETRY (Building Geodesic Domes) – SCOPES-DF
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Lesson Details

Subjects *
Architecture, Geometry
Age Ranges *
8-11, All ages,
Fab Tools *
Laser Cutter, Hand Tools,
Author
NURIA ROBLES
Additional Contributors
NURIA ROBLES

Author

NURIA ROBLES
NURIA ROBLES
K-12 teacher
I am a Mechanical Engineer and Master in Quality, Environment and Occupational Risk Prevention, worked as an engineer for more than 13 years until I fell in love with the world of FabLabs. Now, I am the manager at Fab… Read More

Summary

This activity is part of the FabConnectHer project, dedicated to empowering future female innovators through inspiration, skills and networks to make an impact in the field of STEAM through education, reemployment or entrepeneurship

 

“Fun Geometry” aims to develop students’ spatial awareness, geometric understanding, creativity, and problem-solving skills by constructing Platonic solids and a geodesic dome using Alquimetricos resources. The lesson emphasizes real-world applications of geometry in art, architecture, and engineering while fostering teamwork and innovation. It is designed for elementary and primary school students aged 8 to 12, combining mathematics, engineering, and art to foster both technical and creative skills.

 

What You'll Need

Materials

  • Laser-cut EVA Foam Modules: Pre-cut shapes to construct Platonic solids and geodesic domes.
  • Printed Paper Templates: Optional, for practicing shape construction before using EVA foam.
  • Scissors: For trimming and customizing shapes.
  • Wooden Sticks or Toothpicks: Used as connectors for 3D structures.
  • Ruler: To measure and verify dimensions during construction.
  • Pencil: For marking and planning cuts.
  • Tape: To secure parts temporarily during the assembly process.
  • Glue (optional): For more permanent creations.

Tools and Resources

  • Projector and PowerPoint Presentation: To introduce key concepts and demonstrate step-by-step instructions.
  • Alquimétricos Modules: Pre-designed modular shapes for advanced experimentation.
  • Access to a Laser Cutter: For preparing the EVA foam shapes (optional if pre-cut materials are provided).
  • Downloadable Resources: Templates, step-by-step instructions, and links for further exploration.

Setup Requirements

  • Work Tables: Enough space for groups of students to collaborate.
  • Clean Workspace: Ensure materials are organized and accessible.
  • Storage for Tools: To maintain a tidy and safe environment during the activity.

 

Lesson Materials

Learning Objectives

Understand the properties of Platonic solids:

  • Identify their key characteristics, such as equal faces, vertices, and angles.
  • Recognize the relationship between Platonic solids and their real-world applications.

Develop spatial awareness and geometric understanding:

  • Build Platonic solids using physical modules and digital tools.
  • Explore three-dimensional geometry concepts through hands-on activities.

Apply geometry in real-world contexts:

  • Relate geometric concepts to architectural structures like geodesic domes.
  • Analyze the functionality and stability of geometric shapes in engineering and design.

Enhance problem-solving and teamwork skills:

  • Collaborate in groups to design and build complex geometric models.
  • Solve construction challenges through iteration and prototyping.

Foster creativity and exploration:

  • Experiment with materials to create original structures or modify existing designs.
  • Use innovative tools and techniques to develop geometric models.

Instill a Beta & Tech (B&T) mentality:

  • Adopt an experimental mindset focused on continuous improvement, learning from mistakes, and prototyping.

Encourage reflection and critical thinking:

  • Reflect on challenges and lessons learned during the construction process.
  • Connect practical skills to real-life applications and future creative projects.

 

 

 

Reflection

This activity provides students with a foundational understanding of geometry, its practical uses, and the confidence to innovate, aligning with the inclusive goals of the FabConnectHer project.

The Instructions

INTRODUCTION TO PLATONIC SOLIDS

Introduce students to the concept of Platonic solids, explaining their history, properties, and applications in real life. Establish the objectives of the activity: to build Platonic solids and a geodesic dome.

  1. Explain what a Platonic solid is and how it differs from other 3D shapes.
  2. Share examples of where these shapes are found in real life (e.g., architecture, nature, and games).
  3. Show visual examples (slides or models) to illustrate the concept clearly.
  4. Outline the goal of the activity: hands-on construction and understanding of geometric principles.

 

 

CONSTRUCTING PLATONIC SOLIDS

Students learn about and build various Platonic solids, enhancing their understanding of regular polyhedra.

  1. Begin with an introduction to regular polyhedra and their characteristics.
  2. Distribute pre-cut EVA foam modules or printed templates to the students.
  3. Demonstrate how to assemble 2D shapes into 3D structures (e.g., tetrahedron, cube, and octahedron).
  4. Allow students to construct these solids themselves, working collaboratively if needed.
  5. Encourage students to reflect on how the shapes fit together and the importance of angles and symmetry.

 

BUILDING THE GEODESIC DOME

Students apply their knowledge of geometry to construct a geodesic dome, emphasizing teamwork and structural stability.

  1. Introduce the concept of a geodesic dome and its applications (e.g., architecture, efficiency).
  2. Distribute the required materials: pentagons, hexagons, short bars, and long bars.
  3. Step-by-step:
  4. Connect a green pentagon to five short green bars.
  5. Attach a purple hexagon to the end of each short bar.
  6. Join the hexagons using long pink bars to form the next layer.
  7. Add supporting short green bars at the central points of the hexagons.
  8. Finish the dome by connecting pentagons to the short bars and using long bars to secure the final connections.
  9. Test the structure for stability and discuss what makes it strong.

 

 

 

FREE CREATION PHASE

Students experiment with materials to create their own designs or modify existing ones, fostering creativity and exploration.

  1. Provide additional materials and encourage students to explore new shapes or structures.
  2. Suggest challenges like replacing triangles with hexagons to see how it affects stability.
  3. Allow students to work independently or collaboratively.
  4. Encourage experimentation and reflection on their designs.

WRAP-UP AND REFLECTION

Students reflect on the activity, share their learnings, and connect the skills gained to real-life applications.

  1. Clean up the workspace and organize materials.
  2. Facilitate a group discussion where students share:
  3. What they enjoyed the most.
  4. Challenges they faced and how they solved them.
  5. What they learned about teamwork, problem-solving, and geometry.
  6. Connect the activity to real-world applications (e.g., architecture, engineering).
  7. Distribute and collect a final survey to evaluate their understanding and experience.

 

 

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