Make a Tetrahedron Kite
A tetrahedron is a pyramid made up of four, equilateral triangles that are connected together. It is one of the most stable of geometric shapes and is used to give strength to structures, while remaining very light. In fact, the tetrahedron is so strong, yet light, that it can be used as the framework for a type of kite. A simple yet effective tetrahedron kite can be constructed from drinking straws, thread and tissue paper. The entire project takes less than two hours to complete. The kite will fly well in a light wind.
Instructions
Forming the Tetrahedrons
1. Cut a length of thread nine straw lengths long. Insert the thread through four straws.
2. Turn the far end of the fourth straw back to the end of the second straw to form a triangle with the last three straws.
3. Insert the thread back through the second straw, then through another fifth straw. Pull the thread taut and tie the ends together to form two triangles with a common side.
4. Insert the thread ends through a sixth straw. Place the far end of the last straw near the point of the opposite triangle and tie the thread ends around the thread that forms that point. Trim the thread to the knot. Repeat these steps three more times to produce four separate tetrahedrons.
Constructing the Kite Cells
5. Place the sheet of construction paper under one of the triangles in the framework. Trace the inside of the triangle onto the construction paper.
6. Draw a 1-inch wide rectangle along two edges of the triangle on the construction paper. Cut along the outline of the triangle and rectangles to form a template.
7. Fold a full-size sheet of tissue paper in half. Place the edge of the template without a rectangle along the edge of the fold. Trace the outline of the template on the tissue paper. Cut the outline out and unfold the tissue paper to form a double triangle with tabs along its edges. Repeat this step three more times.
8. Position one of the tissue paper cutouts under one of the tetrahedrons so the triangles align. Fold the two tabs along the edge of the cutout around the drinking straws and secure them with transparent tape. Fold the other half of the cutout up onto the the tetrahedron and secure the two tabs to the straws with tape. This forms a final cell of the kite. Repeat this step three more times to create four finished cells.
Assembling the Kite
9. Place three tetrahedrons on the table, each with an uncovered side down and the other uncovered sides facing in the same direction.
10. Align the three tetrahedrons so that the lower corners touch to form a triangle. Use a short length of thread to tie the corners together and trim the thread to the knots.
11. Align the lower corners of the fourth tetrahedron with the upper corners of the three joined tetrahedrons. Ensure that the covered triangles face in the same direction. Tie the corners together with short lengths of thread and trim the thread to the knot. This will form the four small tetrahedrons into one large tetrahedron that will serve as the framework of the kite.
Attaching the Bridle
12. Tie the end of a length of thread, about two straw lengths long, to the thread at the top of the kite.
13. Locate the leading edge of the kite. This is the edge on the larger tetrahedron formed by two of the smaller tetrahedrons where the tissue paper coverings fold over the straws.
14. Tie the other end of the thread to the thread that joins the two tetrahedrons along their covered sides.
15. Tie the end of the spool of thread to the bridle, securely. Your kite is ready to fly. Adjust the flying angle of the kite by moving the knot in the flying line up or down the bridal, as needed.
