Hexagons are a shape that you see in nature. Why? What makes hexagons a useful or important shape?
Week 1:
This week’s special topic explores why honeybees love hexagons by TED Ed.
- Click here for a lesson that includes an engaging video, questions and discussion prompts.
Week 2:
This week, we have a reading and an investigation for you! You will need dishwashing soap and a straw.
- Click here to read Why Nature Prefers Hexagons by Nautilus. Please note that this is an article that is written for a general audience. If you find it difficult, I recommend reading this with an adult.
- Next, you are going to test the following statement: You’ll never find a square raft of bubbles. Here is what you should do:
- Make a soap solution (1 part soap and 3 parts water) in a small bowl
- Build a bubble raft (many touching bubbles on the surface of the water) by blowing bubbles with your straw onto the surface of the soap solution. Try to make the bubbles the same size. This may take some playing!
- What shapes are you noticing? Is it possible to make a square raft of bubbles? Or do bubbles love hexagons, too?
Week 3: Tessellating Hexagons!
- First, if you are not sure what tessellation is, watch this helpful video: Click here
- Next, try this task by Nrich Maths: Click here
Week 4: The Giant Hexagon Storm on Saturn!
- Click here to watch and read all about it.
Week 5: Hexaflexagons? These are amazing and weird!
- Click here to watch and explore (thank you to TED Ed)
- Try to make a hexaflexagon of your own!!
- Can you explain how it works? Show it off to a buddy and start a hexaflexagon committee, too!