TOMAS SARACENO:
UP, UP AND AWAY WITH GEOMETRY
GRADE LEVEL: 5TH - 8TH GRADE
“Playing is one of the learning processes of life. It is the cultivation of what we do not think is
possible. With the ability to float, the traditional boundaries will be crossed between earth and
space, between art, architecture and science.” -- Tomás Saraceno
Tomás Saraceno’s installation, Solar Bell, is made up of whole and partial tetrahedrons created
from mirrored material that reflects the lobby space below. Saraceno’s exhibition is captivating
and encourages us to consider alternative future habitats with an eye toward the sky and
sustainable energy.
Saraceno finds inspiration in the work of Alexander Graham Bell. Bell is best known for inventing
the telephone but he was also a student of aeronautics. He is credited with using geometric
figures to design many of the basic kite structures used today. He constructed a large tetrahedral
kite created from 1,300 triangular pyramids that he named the Frost King. Bell’s kite surprised
everyone when it lifted one of its handlers 30 feet off the ground.
Tetrahedral kites can be created from straws, string and lightweight paper. A regular tetrahedron
is a geometric figure constructed from equilateral triangles. It has four faces and four vertices
with all four vertices equal distance from one another. When two of the four sides are covered,
this basic pyramid design becomes aerodynamic. These structures can be connected to one
another to create architecturally interesting kites that are both strong and lightweight. Tomás
Saraceno’s use of reflective material enables Solar Bell to capture the environment below. Once
the basic tetrahedron construction is mastered the students can use engineering processes to
design, test and redesign a kite that is both aerodynamic and strong.
OBJECTIVE
Working in teams the students will employ engineering processes to design a Tomás Saraceno
inspired tetrahedral kite. This lesson plan will likely take several class periods to complete.
VOCABULARY
Habitat
Sustainability
Specular and diffused reflection
Engineering design and problem solving
Aerodynamic
Tetrahedron
Equilateral Triangle
Vertices
MATERIALS
Examples of tetrahedron kites created by Alexander Graham Bell and Tomás Saraceno .
Paper
Pencil
Straws
Kite string
Sail template
Metallic/reflective tissue paper
Tape
Washi tape
Crepe paper streamers
Scissors
Paper clips
Ruler
Marker or pen
Fan, hair dryer, wind
BEFOREHAND
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tetrahedron structure.
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DISCUSSION
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to create intricate diamond patterned constructions.
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direction and diffuse reflections travel in many different directions. Share examples of
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work and why.
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environment into the piece.
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habitats in the future? What environmental concerns might have caused the artist to envision
a city in the clouds? In what ways could a city in the clouds be sustainable?
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designing a prototype, testing the model, analyzing results and creating an improved design.
DISCUSSION (CONTINUED)
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PROCEDURE
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PROCEDURE (CONTINUED)
1.
Collect all 6 straws- 5 3/4 in length
Lay 6 straws in a straight line.
Measure and cut a piece of string
that is the length of the line of
straws (34.5 inches).
2.
Cut a second piece of string that is
9 inches in length.
Start with 3 straws and tread the
34.5 inch string through all three.
Position the straws in the form of a triangle
and tie a knot.
4.
3.
Add two more straws to the
remaining string and tie it to the
structure to create a second triangle.
5.
Fold the metallic tissue paper material in half
and place the sail template the long side
along the fold. Trace the pattern on the
using a marker or pen. Cut and unfold.
Tread the 6th straw with the 9inch string
and tie it to two corners of the structure
to create a prism.
6.
Place sail along two sides on the kite. Use
the metallic Washi tape to secure the sails to
each side of the kite structure as well as
secure any gaps at the vertices.
PROCEDURE (CONTINUED)
7.
Attach the completed tetrahedron
cells by at the corners to create the
final structure.
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* Older students can write a report detailing their design process and use data from the
testing process to explain and justify any changes they made to their original model.
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TEMPLATE
RESOURCES
www.tomassaraceno.com/projects/in-the-air/
www.ict.griffith.edu.au/anthony/kites/tetra/variations
http://www.design-technology.org/bell.htm
http://www.carnetdevol.org/Bell/kite.html
www.bing.com/images/search?q=tetrahedron+kite+designs&qpvt=tetraheron+kite+designs&qpvt
=tetraheron+kite+designs&qpvt=tetraheron+kite+designs&FORM=IGRE
www.nextgenscience.org
www.physicsclassroom.com