Try these twistronics activities at home

Build your own kaleidoscope to make moir茅 patterns and create your own graphene flakes.

Make moir茅 patterns with a kaleidoscope

It's easy to build your own kaleidoscope and make moir茅 patterns.

You will need:

  • The template we've created for you - print it onto card
  • Fabric or patterns printed onto transparent sheets - alternatively, you can use tightly woven canvas
  • Scissors
  • Sellotape

If the two patterns you attach to your kaleidoscope are slightly offset to one another, you should be able to see a moiré pattern appear as you rotate it.

What type of moiré patterns do you see for the different "lenses" that you use?

Download the kaleidoscope template and instructions - and get busy now!

Collect your own graphene flakes

Create your own graphene flakes at home with a bit of graphite and some Sellotape.

If you're stuck for graphite - think pencils!

Child creating their own graphene flakes

All you have to do is...

  • Scribble with a pencil on paper.
  • Take a piece of Sellotape and press it to the paper.
  • See the graphene flakes on the Sellotape.

The Sellotape can peel off a single layer of graphene because of the very weak bonds between them.