If you are looking for easy STEM inspired Valentine activities for kids, then Möbius Strip Hearts is a must try! This cool Valentine STEM activity explores mathematics in the most fun and magical way possible!
We bet this fun STEM activity will leave your kids spellbound and in love with maths! And the best part? It is super easy to set-up and uses common supplies, making it a perfect STEM Valentine activity for home as well as school.
Möbius Strip Hearts STEM Activity For Valentine’s
Show your love for maths (or your friends!) this Valentine with Möbius heart activity. A perfect Valentine STEM activity idea for school and math geeks at home, this Mobius strip hearts craft activity is sure to ignite a newfound love and respect for maths and learning.
Supplies for Möbius Strip Hearts
- Paper
- Scissors
- Tape
How To Make Möbius Strip Hearts
Step 1: Cut two paper strips from construction paper. We used pink construction paper and glitter foam sheet to make this activity fit for Valentine’s Day.
Step 2: Using tape, fix the two strips at the centre so that they are at right angles.
Step 3: Take the ends of one strip, twist one to the right and tape it to the other end to make a Möbius strip.
Step 4: For the other strip, twist it to the left and tape its ends together. It is important to twist the strips in opposite directions for this activity to work.
Step 5: Once you have the strips ready, cut them along the middle lengthwise, one by one. That’s it! Your Möbius strip hearts are ready.
You might have to arrange the hearts a little and re-tape them at the ends to get them perfectly aligned in shape.
Isn’t this STEM Valentine activity fun? It is almost magical to see simple Möbius Strips transform into interlocking hearts.
Related: Pair this fun activity with Valentine Would You Rather Questions!
Now, that you have done this fun Valentine activity, let’s dive into the science of Möbius strips.
What are Möbius Strips?
Möbius strip is a one-sided non-orientable surface, that is having no top or down side, with one edge. What makes it interesting is that it is made from a paper strip having two sides!
Still confused? We get it! Run your finger along the möbius strip or draw a line on it using a pen. You will be amazed that you can touch the entire surface or draw on the entire surface without picking up your hand! That’s what mathematicians mean when they refer to non-orientable surfaces!
Related: Try these Fun Math Riddles to gamify learning!
This mathematical wonder was discovered by German mathematician August Ferdinand Möbius in 1858. Möbius strip has exciting implications in geometry, topology. Some real life examples of Möbius strips include conveyor belts, recording tapes and printer ribbons.
Möbius Strip Fun Facts
A simple half-twist or odd number of half-twists can transform an ordinary 2D strip into a Möbius strip having only one side!
Also known as a twisted cylinder, Möbius strip closely resembles another curious shape – the Lemniscate: the sign of infinity!
Quick Tip: Check out more Amazing Fun Facts to be baffled!
FAQ
August Ferdinand Möbius, a German mathematician and astronomer, is credited with the discovery of Möbius strip.
Orientability distinguishes from Möbius strip from a two-sided loop. Orientability of an object can be changes by cutting or gluing.
