| "HEXAPLEX" Fractal Tessellation Puzzle Description:
Fractal and tessellation puzzle pieces are combined in this very unique puzzle.
A tessellation is a collection of shapes, or tiles, that fit together without overlaps or gaps to cover a surface.
A fractal is an object that shows similarities within itself. This means that if you repeatedly zoomed in on a fractal you would see something similar over and over again.
A fractal tessellation is simply a tessellation that is also a fractal. HEXAPLEX has the same shape but in 5 different sizes, allowing the creation of tessellations that are also fractals.
Product Notes:
The picture by Melissa D Binde above is an example of fractal art. It is NOT an example of what can be built directly with the HEXAPLEX product.
Product Specifications:
Ages: 8 to Adult
Product Size: 5"x5.5" rectangular jar, 10" high
Product Weight: 1.5 lbs
Produced in the USA
Product Contents:
Over 270 foam puzzle pieces, with magnetic backing
Instructions how to build fractals
9 Challenges of how to build more and more complex fractals
3 Worksheets
Listing of additional website resources for fractals
Product Notes for International Import:
The following countries do not allow magnetized materials, such as HEXAPLEX, imported:
Bahamas, Bermuda, Croatia, Iceland, Israel, Jordan, Norway, Tanzania, Tunisia
A NOTE FROM LAURI:
Unique combination of two areas in math. This "fractallations" puzzle claims that it is the only one of its kind that combines fractals and tessellations. Fractals and tessellations are actually two different areas in math. The designer, Dr. Robert Fathauer, was a researcher with NASA Jet Propulsion Labs and is currently a research professor at Arizona State University. He has had a long-term interest in art and math, and has exhibited both tessellation and fractal art while studying both math areas.
Demonstrates math as an art form. Fractals and Tessellations are the two branches of math that have the greatest esthetic appeal. They provide kids who love art an exposure to the beauty of geometrics and math, and they provide kids who love math to express themselves in a creative art form, while still in a math comfort zone.
Great lead into artists such as MC Escher, and tessellations and fractals in nature. Not only is this HEXAPLEX just plain fun, it is also a great lead into artists who are famous for their tessellations (such as MC Escher), and for looking at pictures of fractals in nature, and computer-generated forms of fractals. An example of fractal art is included above, by Melissa D Binde (her website is no longer online). This example is included to best demonstrate what fractals look like and show the potential of using HEXAPLEX as a tactile teaching aid for fractals.
Creates incredibly beautiful patterns. While we may pat ourselves on the back that HEXAPLEX exposes ourselves to art and math, let's not forget that creating patterns with these puzzle pieces is just plain fun! The magnetic backing gives opportunity for creativity on any magnetic surface (appliances, magnetic white boards, and so on). Just put up the puzzle pieces and kids and adults will not be able to keep their hands off! |
