Himmeli

Himmeli sculptures are little geometric mobiles that were originally made as a Finnish Christmas ornaments, to be hung up in the house and on the tree. Read about them and how to make them here. Thanks, Jen Burton!

Laser Cut Snowflakes

Want to learn how to use the laser cutter located down in the tech classroom?

Great! Let's start with this intro project.

1. Create a snowflake using this digital paper snowflake maker following the steps in the video.

2. Save the file and have someone who knows how to use the laser cutter cut it out for you.

Scandinavian Paper Stars

Try your hand at folding some Scandinavian paper stars.

Watch the video (maybe a few times) then try one for yourself! Using newspaper inserts is a fun way to reuse materials and can lead to some unique color combinations. Make sure you cut your strips of paper in perfect rectangles. Using a paper cutter, or rotary cutter with a ruler might be good options.

Hexaflexagons

Watch the video to the right and be amazed!

To make one yourself,

• Go here for templates

• Look at this step-by-step guide with pictures, or if you prefer, a video to make them

• Need more of a challenge?

  • Make a tetrahexaflexagon (watch the video first) using this template

  • Try making a tetrahexaflexagon with beads

  • Or this HexaMexaFlexagon

Platonic Solids

Ever notice those balls hanging above my desk? They are called Platonic solids.

Want to make your own? Use the laser cutter and this template to create paper circles with inscribed shapes that you then glue together. Careful! Make sure you have a plan for how to glue them so that they create the shapes you want.

Want more of a challenge? Use a compass and straightedge to construct the pieces yourself. Ask me for tools.

Origami

An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by the gods... better get started.

Ask for some paper and some origami book from the math office.