Making things with your hands is wonderfully therapeutic - great for stress relief & attaining a state of flow.

With that in mind: a thread of hands-on 3D maths projects for lockdown

#3DMaths #HandsOnMaths #LockdownMaths #ArtfulMaths #Mathsart #MathArt #MakersGonnaMake

1) First off, one of my old favourites: a dodecahedral kusudama flower ball

You could make a daffodil-yellow version for Easter...

Instructions: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Kusudama-Flower & https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Kusudama-Ball

#3DMaths #HandsOnMaths #LockdownMaths #ArtfulMaths

2) Something yummy next: a self-supporting, hyperbolic paraboloid @Pringles ring

More info here: https://interestingengineering.com/geometry-of-pringles-crunchy-hyperbolic-paraboloid

Or use Erik Demaine’s instructions to fold paper versions: http://erikdemaine.org/hypar/ 

#3DMaths #HandsOnMaths #LockdownMaths #ArtfulMaths

3) A fabulous fractal make: @standupmaths and @thinkmaths’ Sierpinski tetrahedrons. Go as big as you dare!

Or try your hand at a Menger Sponge or Koch Snowflake: https://www.think-maths.co.uk/downloads/building-3d-fractals

#3DMaths #HandsOnMaths #LockdownMaths #ArtfulMaths #MathsArt #Fractals

4) Been stockpiling? Use up those empty toilet rolls to make this fantastic truncated icosahedron with the instructions from @mrallanmaths’ 8000th tweet

#3DMaths #HandsOnMaths #LockdownMaths #ArtfulMaths https://twitter.com/mrallanmaths/status/1125438241774166017

5) How high can you go? Make a Columbus Cube tower with David Mitchell’s instructions: http://www.origamiheaven.com/pdfs/columbus.pdf

If you have time, explore his whole website – a treasure trove of mathematical #origami! http://www.origamiheaven.com/ 

#3DMaths #HandsOnMaths #LockdownMaths #ArtfulMaths

6) Or how about a tower of skeletal octahedra instead? They’re a great challenge to put together – although you might need an extra pair of hands!

Good video instructions from @nrichmaths here: https://wild.maths.org/skeletal-octahedron

#3DMaths #HandsOnMaths #LockdownMaths #ArtfulMaths

7) Paper not your thing? Pencils are? You’ll need a lot of them for the fantastically rewarding Hexastix!

See my #ArtfulMaths blog post here with excellent video instructions from @standupmaths: https://www.artfulmaths.com/blog/hexastix 

PS elastic bands disintegrate so best use string instead

8) Back to some #origami! This paper version of a popular six-piece burr puzzle is a lovely fold, and would make a great gift.

Thank you to @DrOlsen314 for his blog post here: http://b3d.drjimo.net/3d-solids/burr-puzzle-origami/

#3DMaths #HandsOnMaths #LockdownMaths #ArtfulMaths

9) Explore the tessellating properties of A-sized paper and create some tetrahedron wall art.

For instructions see my #ArtfulMaths blog post here: https://www.artfulmaths.com/blog/tetrahedron-wall-art

#3DMaths #HandsOnMaths #LockdownMaths #ArtfulMaths

10) Light up your life with beautiful #origami cube lampshades!

Use baking or tracing paper with LED bulbs or fairy lights.

10a) These instructions from @origamifolding make the Sonobe lampshade below https://origamitutorials.com/sonobe-cube-lamp-tutorial/ Can you spot the Pythagoras’ Theorem proof?

10b) Experienced origamists might wish to try the challenging, but oh-so-stunning, Shuzo Fujimoto Hydrangea cube lamp.

I used @happyfolding’s video instructions for the modules & this video for the construction

#3DMaths #Origami

11) Try some kinetic modular #origami and make Yami Yamauchi’s wonderful rotating Fireworks model

Again, @happyfolding has some useful video instructions:

#3DMaths #HandsOnMaths #LockdownMaths #ArtfulMaths #origami

12) Or get your tool box out and make some string art. You’ll need a hammer, nails or tacks, and some string. I used a canvas, but any board will do

Follow the steps in my photos below, or create some designs or your own...

#3DMaths #HandsOnMaths #LockdownMaths #ArtfulMaths

13) Cut out these templates from @howaboutorange to make some colourful, slot-together 3D paper balls: https://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-make-3d-paper-ball-ornaments.html

String them up to make pretty Easter ornaments

#3DMaths #HandsOnMaths #LockdownMaths #ArtfulMaths

14) And the last one, for now at least: another modular #origami fold, and one of my favourites - Star Festival by Nobuko Okabe

Diagrams here: https://origamiusa.org/thefold/article/diagram-star-festival or @happyfolding video here:

#3DMaths #HandsOnMaths #LockdownMaths #ArtfulMaths

I hope you find something fun to try amongst the thread.

And please feel free to add ideas of your own. Be sure to include instructions, and if you can, photos too

Enjoy!