Math Club Resource Hub

In this hands-on activity, students first build a variety of 3D polyhedra using origami, zometools, toothpicks and gumdrops, or polyhedron cutouts (note that Mathigon has some useful templates for constructing 3D platonic solids out of origami or net templates).

Then, ask students to investigate the relationship between the number of faces (F), edges (E), and vertices (V).

No matter what polyhedron is used, students will discover that V - E + F = 2.

If using zometools or toothpicks/gumdrops to create the polyhedra, you can extend this activity by dipping the polyhedra into a bubble solution and asking students to predict what the surface film of the polyhedron will look like.

See the attachments below for ideas about extending this activity using soap bubbles.

#Activities