The software under construction for this project is JavaGami, a java-based polyhedral modeling tool to engage children in both on-line and real-world activities with polyhedra.
JavaGami is a polyhedral modeling tool implemented in Java. As in the HyperGami system , students model three-dimensional polyhedra on-screen and the program calculates and draws a folding net of the polyhedron which the student decorates with on-line paint tools and prints to a color printer. The printout is cut, folded and assembled into a real-world paper model.
The JavaGami interface consists of:
The substantial way in which JavaGami differs from HyperGami is the elimination of the end-user programming environment. This will make both the feasibility study and the summative assessment more straightforward because students' learning of programming concepts will not be a factor when interacting with the software. The solid-modeling functions that the student can apply are more constrained, but JavaGami will provide a reasonable number of built-in shape modeling tools and libraries so that students will be able to create satisfying sculptures. The current state of HyperGami -- and the presence of the programming language interface in particular -- makes it necessary for the student to have much adult guidance when interacting with the software; the interface in JavaGami will make it possible for students to work more independently.
The current version of JavaGami runs on java-enabled web browers and has been tested on both Macintosh and IBM platforms.