The Pentagon Module (108 degrees)

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

The project was originally designed by: Robert Neale

This "108 Degree Model" requires the use of 30 units of the type shown below:

Step 1: Fold the paper in half to create a mountain fold.

Step2: Fold the outer edges toward the center to create four congruent

rectangles as shown below.

Step 3: Fold the paper into an "M" as shown below

Step 4: Position the paper in front of you so that the open side (bottom

of) the "M" is facing you, and the top of the M is pointing away from you

as shown below.

Step 5: Fold the top left corner down to the bottom edge as shown below.

Step 6: Fold the bottom right corner up toward the top edge as shown

below.

Step 7: Notice the two corners that are being pointed to in the picture

below. Your next step is to create a diagonal fold that connects these

two corners. Use of an index card, or small piece of cardboard can

be helpful for this step.

Step 8: The shape below is the finished unit.

Assembling the "108 Degree Model"

Dodecahedron with 30 units

Step 1: Be sure that you have 30 identical units by lining them up in the

same direction as shown below.

Step 2: Turn the units so that they line up as shown below.

Step 3: Open the top layer of the fold in the unit as shown below.

Step 4: Place the other unit into the fold, so that the creases line up and

a point is formed as shown below. Then close the previously opened

unit.

Step 5: You may find it helpful to use a small piece of painter's tape to

hold the pieces together as you work. Then add the third unit to complete

a vertex.

Step 6: Notice how the folds line up when you place the third piece on

top of the two pieces you already assembled. The next step will show

you how to put this third piece in place.

Step 7: Notice that each "right" piece is tucked into the piece at its left.

Also notice the rotational symmetry of this new unit made from three single

units.

Keep adding pieces in the same manner as you did to create the piece

above. As you add units, you will notice that the edges connect to

create pentagons. Use painter's tape as needed to hold the shape

together, but remove it carefully when you have finished assembling.