Math Circle: The Platonic Solids

Curriculum

Students will engage in hands-on activities to discover some fundamental principles of geometry. We’ll create and classify the platonic solids as we build with Polydrons. We’ll explore fractals as we attempt to build a 3D Sierpinski Triangle from business cards. We’ll make discoveries about area as we fold paper into squares and triangles. We’ll explore and expand upon Euclidian geometry as we fold more paper. We’ll see math in nature through a look at how ladybugs fold their wings. And in a study of empirical versus logical proofs, we’ll use toilet paper to explore what variables come into play – and how they interact – as we try to figure out the maximum number of times you can fold a piece of paper.