The Post-It Note Challenge

Post It Notes were released to the general public by 3M in 1981 and since then their popularity has exploded.   Chances are there is a pad of post-it notes in the very room you’re sitting in or if not, in the classroom next to you.   Today, post-it notes are used across the world in all sorts of ways to pass on information, to take and organise notes and to communicate information in creative ways.    There is even a post-it stop motion animation movement.   Check out the crazy cool post-it note animation below that has had over 6000000 hits on YouTube.

The video I’ve shared here contains the original animation and an overview of how it was made.

Check out this video where workers from two building blocks in Soho (New York)engaged in a Post-It note war.

Investigation Time

Who would have thought that the humble post-it note could be used in such creative ways?    In this investigation, your job will be to investigate the following:

– How many post-it notes are in a standard pack and what is the total area those post-it notes could cover if placed together with no gaps?
– How many post-it notes you would need to completely cover an item in your classroom?
– How many post-it notes you think you would need to cover an entire classroom?

If you can get a hold of some post-it note packs, consider having a go at creating your own post-it note piece of art or animation.    You could even use an awesome app like MyCreate to make bring your post-it notes to life with stop motion animation.

–  Can you make a design out of post-it notes that has perfect symmetry?
–  Use grid paper to plan a design and then work out how much it would cost to purchase the packs of post-its needed to make it happen.

Perhaps your class could compete in a post-it note war with other classes in your school or year level.

Did you know that Post-It notes were invented by mistake?

Check out this video to see how a scientist working for 3M accidentally stumbled upon the glue that is the foundation of the post-it note we would be lost without today!