How to Lay Out a Geodesic Dome

Cut holes in the end of each straw. Use the sharp knife to poke the holes through. The holes should be a ¼ inch away from each end of the straw.

Make a five-pointed star using the 6 ½-inch straws. Do this by connecting 5 of the shorter straws together at a central point using a brad pin to hold all the ends together. Repeat this process six times to create six five-pointed stars.

Make a six-pointed star using the 7 ¾-inch straws. Do the same as in step 2; connecting the straws together at a central point and securing with a brad pin. Repeat this step 15 times to create 15 six-pointed stars.

Connect the shapes together. Take a five-pointed star as the centre of the dome and attach one of the six-pointed stars to it using the brad pins. The stars should be connected so that two of the points on each star are connected, forming a diamond between the the shapes.

Attach a 7 ½-inch straw as an edge between the shapes. This will create a supporting bar across the middle of the diamond.

Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the central pentagon is surrounded by hexagons. Add supporting 7 ½-inch supporting straws wherever two shapes meet.

Attach the next five-pointed star. From the central brad pin of the central pentagon, trace a line outward along any straw. Follow it across the 7 ½ supporting straw between the two hexagons below until you come to the edge of the structure. Attach the next five-pointed star here, using the brad pins.

Repeat step 6 four more times until you have traced outwards along every straw of the central pentagon and attached a five-pointed star on the edge of the structure.

Attach the six-pointed stars to the five-pointed stars on the edges of the structure, remembering to include the 7 ½-inch supporting straws between each shape.