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Vol. 1, No. 1......... |
Newsletter of the
Polymorf.networks |
September,
2002 |
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www.polymorf.net Web Site Launched |
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Polymorf, Inc. debuted its construction set
toy, Polymorf, today with the launch
of its |
new web site by challenging '3Doodlers' ages 8 to 88
to "Crystallize your imagination". |
The geometric building
panels are made from unbreakable plastic in six vibrant colors. |
The colorful web site is populated
by models of critters that walk, talk, and fly; rings of |
tetrahedra that turn inside out; space
shuttles, vehicles, and aircraft; and a Ferris wheel |
that revolves. The remarkable combination
of rigidity and flexibility of the models is due |
to a patented 'pinge' (pin + hinge)
connector piece that allows up to six freely hinging |
 |
panels to be joined together edge to edge at
the same |
 |
time. Up to thirty panels can
be assembled together to |
radiate out from a common center point. The
result is a |
highly versatile modeling system with infinite possibilities. |
Polymorf is four sets in
one |
The Polymorf modeling system is really four
sets in one - a model building kit, a |
construction
set, a 3-D puzzle, and a math/science manipulative. |
Like conventional replica model building kits, the
unique geometric properties of the |
panels
let you contour the shape of a model
to be convincingly realistic. But with |
Polymorf
you can build an unlimited variety of models,
not just the one the kit was |
designed
for. |
Polymorf is also a construction set toy.
Most conventional hub and strut construction |
sets can
only build the skeleton of a structure. However, with Polymorf you can
build the |
exterior
shell of a structure as well as interior spaces that are partitioned and braced for |
strength
and stability just like the real thing.
Buildings can be built with rooms and |
hallways;
ships and subs can equipped with cabins and
passageways; and bridges, |
towers, and
Ferris wheels can be engineered with interior cross bracing and bulkheads. |
Assembling a Polymorf model from the seven different shaped
panels is like solving a |
 |
complex 3-d
puzzle with an added level of difficulty. Since the panels can |
be joined
together in an infinite variety of combinations, each puzzle has |
more
than just the one solution that conventional puzzles are
limited to. |
Polymorf
will both confound and delight the problem solver in you. |
Polymorf is also a valuable math and science manipulative that
integrates well with the |
constructivist
method of teaching that is currently being promulgated (i.e.
learning by |
doing).
The multi - panel connectability of Polymorf
panels facilitates |
 |
straight
forward demonstrations of mirror and symmetry
planes and |
associating
those elements between polyhedra by inscription
and |
compounding operations.
Transformational operations such as truncation, |
sectioning,
and rearrangement are also possible. Demonstrations of space
filling with |
polyhedra
lays the groundwork for modeling the
crystal lattice network and polyhedral |
framework
structure of elements and minerals. |
Polymorf is available in five different size sets ranging in
price from $20 to $150. Each |
set
comes with detailed instructions on how to build several models. Teacher
materials |
are also
available. Sets can be purchased directly from the manufacturer by
visiting the |
web site www.polymorf.net
and accessing the catalog. |
Polymorf is not just kid's play because not just kids play. |
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