Polydron

This activity investigates how you might make squares and pentominoes from Polydron.

Construct-o-straws

Make a cube out of straws and have a go at this practical challenge.

Cereal Packets

How can you put five cereal packets together to make different shapes if you must put them face-to-face?

Creating Cubes

Creating Cubes

Arrange nine red cubes, nine blue cubes and nine yellow cubes into a large $3$ by $3$ cube.

No row or column of cubes can contain two cubes of the same colour.

Why do this problem?

This activity is is very good as a spatial challenge. Some pupils who are not high-achieving in number work may excel in spatial work and this gives them that opportunity.

Possible approach

You can lead up to this challenge by starting with a cube using two colours first. Having plenty of interlocking cubes available for children to try out their ideas will be essential.

Key questions

How could you start the cube?
Is there only one way of doing it?
Have you all got the same solution?
Are some of the solutions similar?