On Wednesday, Oct. 14th, Two Rivers Math Teacher, Mr. Oakes, taught his students about the wonders of the Hexaflexagon. In class, the students learned about their history and how to make one of their very own.

The process is simple, yet complex. We sat down with Mr. Oakes, who taught us more about the process, “It is paper folded and wrapped onto itself multiple times.” Mr. Oakes said, “It’s like a paper Rubik’s Cube.” Mr. Oakes tries to teach the lesson once or twice per year, as a fun way for his students to learn mathematical concepts. 

Discovered in 1956 by British mathematician Arthur H Stone, who was sitting in class and his binder from England didn’t fit American sized paper, he decided to cut off the edges and started messing with the scraps of paper. Eventually, Stone created the hexaflexagon. The reason he named it that is because it’s a hexagon made out of paper the folds and flexes.

Learn how to make your own Hexaflexagon!