Skip to the beginning of the images gallery

Tetrahedron Kite

#9762

Overview

Students create their own Tetrahedron Kite using tissue paper, straws and string.

This is a perfect science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) project. Research the advantages of wind energy as a natural, renewable resource. Understand how the sun provides energy to drive convection, heating the atmosphere and creating wind. Students conduct scientific investigations to explore wind energy, by assembling and flying kites created from tetrahedrons. Explore the technology of kites and determine ways to make the tetrahedron kite more aerodynamic. Calculate speed and velocity over several trials. Students may also use these tetrahedrons to create Sierpinski triangles. Challenge students to create unique kite designs using any desired pattern and assortment of materials.

Grade Level: 3-5

Curriculum: Fine Arts & Crafts, Math, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math)

Use science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts to create Tetrahedron Kites and investigate wind energy.

Print Lesson

Instructions

Supplies Used: Tissue Paper, Straws, Kite String, Rubber Cement or similar adhesive

The teacher will die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.

Assembling the Frame

Cut 12 strings - 4 strings at 3 feet long and 8 strings at two feet long.
Six 7-3/4" long straws are required for each tetrahedron, a total of 24 straws for each kite.
Thread one of the 3' strings through three straws and tie knots to create a triangle with these straws. Tie double knots for strength and leave the excess string long for kite assembly.
Tie one of the 2' lengths of string to one of the triangle joints. Thread the string through two straws and pull them around to create a rhombus. Tie securely. Leave the excess string (Figure A).
Tie two of the 2' strings, one string at each joint where there are no strings. Loose strings must be at each corner of the rhombus.
Thread one of the strings through a straw and pull it up and tie a double knot to form the 3-D tetrahedron shape (Figure B).
Repeat steps 3 through 6 three more times. A total of four tetrahedrons is required to complete one kite.

Covering the Frame

Fold tissue paper in half. It must be large enough when folded to cover the XL Tetrahedron Kite die. Place the folded edge on the die where the cutting blade stops. Place a strip of masking tape on the rubber side of the die to act as a guide for paper placement. Trim any excess tissue from the sides before cutting. Cut four Tetrahedron Kite pieces (Figure C).
Open up the tissue and place adhesive in the seam along the fold.
Place the tetrahedron shape with one straw along the adhesive. Spread adhesive on both tissue flaps, wrap the flaps around each straw and press them down (Figure D).
Rotate the tetrahedron so that the straw triangle sits on the remaining tissue. Spread adhesive on both tissue flaps and wrap the flaps around each straw and press them down. Only two faces of the Tetrahedron are covered with tissue.
Repeat steps 8 through 10 three times. Four tissue covered tetrahedrons are required to make one kite (see Main Photo).