How to Make a Tetrahedron Framed Kite for Fifth Graders

Constructing theTetrahedrons

• 1

  Measure and cut a piece of thread equal to nine straw lengths. Pass the thread through three of the straws and center the straws on the thread.

• 2

  Bring the ends of the first and third straws together, forming the three straws into a triangle. Pass both ends of the thread through a fourth straw.

• 3

  Separate the threads on the far end of the fourth straw. Pass one end of the thread through a fifth straw and the other end through a sixth straw.

• 4

  Place the far end of the fifth straw near the joint between the first and second straws.Tie the thread at the end of the fifth straw to the thread between the first and second straws to bring the three straw ends together; this forms a second triangle.

• 5

  Place the far end of the sixth straw near joint between the second and third straws.Tie the thread at the end of the sixth straw to the thread between the second and third straws to join these three straw ends together. The finished product should look like a pyramid made of four equilateral triangles.

• 6

  Repeat this procedure three more times to produce a total of four tetrahedrons.

Constructing the Kite Cell

• 7

  Place two of the tetrahedrons side by side on a sheet of construction paper. Point their bases away from one another, and align the two closest straws so that they are touching and parallel to one another. Together, the bases of the two tetrahedrons should make a rhombus (i.e. a diamond shape).

• 8

  Trace around the outside of the base of the tetrahedrons with a marker to create a large diamond shape on the construction paper. Place a sheet of tissue paper over the construction paper. Trace the diamond shape onto the tissue paper.

• 9

  Cut the tissue paper along the traced lines. Place a strip of tape along each outer edge of the tissue paper so that some of the adhesive is exposed along each edge.

• 10

  Place the tissue paper carefully over one of the tetrahedrons so that it lays over two of the triangles on the frame. Tape the edges of the tissue paper to the straws to cover two of the triangles with tissue paper.

• 11

  Repeat this procedure with the remaining tetrahedrons.

Assembling the Kite

• 12

  Place three of the tetrahedrons together on the table with the tissue paper covers up and all facing in the same direction.

• 13

  Align the bases of three of the tetrahedrons so that they touch corner to corner; together, their bases should form a single large triangle. Tie the corners of the tetrahedrons with thread to join them together.

• 14

  Align the corners on the base of the fourth tetrahedron to the top corners of the other three tetrahedrons; together, they should form a single large pyramid. Tie the corners together with thread and trim any loose ends of thread to complete the body of the kite.

Attaching the Bridle

• 15

  Cut a length of thread about five straw lengths long. Locate the edge of the kite where two of the straws with the center of the tissue paper is folded over. Tie one end of the thread to each end of that edge. This thread acts as the bridle for the kite.

• 16

  Tie the end of the thread on the spool to the bridle to form the flying line. The kite is ready to fly.

• 17

  Move the knot in the flying line up or down the bridle, as needed, to adjust the angle at which the kite flies.