Great Stellated Dodecahedron

Project taught by Dr. Eva Szillery at the Downtown Education Collaborative in Lewiston, ME.

The project was originally designed by: Unknown

This is a challenging construction, but the results are worth the work!

Step 1:  Fold the paper in half to create a "mountain fold" as shown below.

Step 2:  Fold the paper in half again, to create four congruent squares.

Step 3:  Fold one corner in so that its point lines up with the center of

the sheet of paper.

Step 4:  Fold the opposite corner in the same way to create the shape

shown below.

Step 5:  Fold the right edge up toward the center diagonal to create

the shape shown below.

Step 6:  Fold the left edge toward the center diagonal in the same way

as shown below.

Step 7:  Open the last two folds to see the shape shown below.  Notice

the two parallel diagonal lines that have been formed.

Step 8a:  Close the two side pieces to get back to this shape.  The next

fold will create a crease that creates a line through the two points indicated

by the fingers in the photo.

Step 8b:  Notice the fold, now in place.

Step 8c:  Now fold that piece back, behind the shape as shown below.

Step 9:  Repeat on the opposite corner to create the shape shown below.

Step 10:  Fold the two "tags" (top right and lower left) into the shape.

Step 11:  Open to see a rectangular shape as shown below.

Step 12a:  The next fold will create a valley fold that runs through the

two points indicated by the fingers in the photo.

Step 12b:  Notice the fold below, now in place.  This is the finished unit!

Step 13:  Now make 29 more units identical to the one shown above!

To construct the Great Stellated Dodecahedron:

The steps below are shown in three colors to make it easier to see

and understand the steps involved. 

Step 1:  Line two pieces up as shown below to be sure they are congruent.

Step 2a:  Place the second piece, shown in blue, so that its first fold

lines up with the second fold of the original piece, shown in yellow.

Step 2b:  Below is the top view of what is done in step 2a.

Step 3:  The third piece will tuck into the second.  Below the third

piece is shown in green, the second piece is shown in blue.

Step 4a:  Now the first piece, shown in yellow, wraps around to tuck

into the third piece, shown in green. 

Step 4b:  See one completed pyramid below, which includes that

yellow tab tucked into the green piece from above.  This will create

a pyramid that has a triangular base.  You will also notice a "tail"

sticking out off of each side of the base.

Step 5:  Now add on more pyramids to each of the "tails" using the

same process used to make the original pyramid.  You will find that

five pyramids connect to make a star shape.  This pattern will continue

all the way around the shape as it takes form!

Finished Super Stellated Dodecahedron