Table of Contents

Phase 3 - Patterns in the Sky

The Polygon Challenge

Teacher Notes

1. This activity should be completed in pairs.

2. The suggested completion time is 30 - 45 minutes.

3. An assessment rubric accompanies this activity.

The Polygon Challenge

Junior Space Explorers must be able to follow a given set of procedures. This activity provides practice in applying this valuable skill.

Materials:

• Grid paper
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Timer

Purpose:

This experiment challenges you and a partner to reproduce a space-focused (constellation, space hardware, etc.) geometrical design in a limited time.

Procedure:

1. Using grid paper, ruler and pencil, each person creates a geometrical design that includes:

   • one of each of the three types of triangles: scalene, isosceles, equilateral
   • one of each of these three types of quadrilaterals: rectangle, square and parallelogram.
     
     

2. Each person then uses a blank piece of grid paper on which he/she must reproduce his/her partner’s design without actually seeing it. Your partner must give you verbal directions about placement, size and the properties of the polygons he/she used.

3. Decide who will draw first, then set a timer for 5 minutes.

   • The first person must complete their drawing in the time allowed. If the timer goes before completion, switch roles.
   • After the first person has given clues (either when the design is finished or when the timer goes off), he/she becomes the one to listen to clues and draw the other design.

Questions:

• Were the designs completed accurately? Why or why not?
• Were the designs completed within the time? Why or why not?

Conclusion:

How successful were you in following a set of procedures?

Assessment Rubric