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Great Pyramid of Giza: a cutaway model

Build a large PLA pyramid with a stone texture and a removable west wall. Inside, make a labelled, simplified cross-section. Make the complete panels flat; rigid mounts reveal the interior without bending the wall.

Age
8–12 years
Length
approx. 8.5 h
Level
Hard
Where you teach
Home
Purpose
Creative
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How to run this session

Stages and timing
  1. Base: outline
  2. Base: grid and diagonals
  3. Four flat frames
  4. Ribs to support the covering
  5. Covering: lower half
  6. Covering: complete triangle
  7. Stone texture
  8. Cross-section: frame and supports
  9. Cross-section: half the backing
  10. Cross-section: complete backing
  11. Interior relief and numbers
  12. Three internal ribs
  13. Sample and rigid mounts
  14. Check the sample without force
  15. Position the first two walls
  16. Join N and E to the base
  17. Insert ribs N and E
  18. Insert the complete cross-section
  19. Close the fixed south side
  20. Last rib and upper stop
  21. Attach pockets and tongues
  22. Seat the west wall
  23. Open: lift first
  24. Open: move aside and explore
  25. Return: above the pockets
  26. Return: seat without bending

What gets built

Make a large decorative model that can be opened to explore its interior.

Success criteria
  • The base sits flat and the three fixed walls meet with even edges.
  • The west panel lifts 8 mm and moves west without bending; on return it rests in the rigid pockets.
  • Two chambers, the Grand Gallery and three passages are visible, and the paper key shows the underground chamber separately.
  • All paper supports have been removed; the covering has no loose ends and welds do not catch the panel.

What you need
Filament
PLA
Colours
colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration
Also
3D pen for PLA with power supply: 1 set. The nozzle lays a line about 1.2 mm wide; make a width sample., Transparent mat suitable for PLA work: 1 item. At least 300 × 300 mm; place the paper templates under the mat., Ruler: 1 item. At least 30 cm long; check scale, edges and clearance., A4 paper: 21 sheets. 18 sheets for templates and the legend, plus 3 sheets for wedges; reuse the joined templates., PLA: 1 supply based on the path calculation with a 25% reserve. One filament type; sand-coloured for the structure and optionally contrasting for the relief. The amount includes the mount sample., Flat worktop and storage space: 1 surface. At least 60 × 60 cm for the current work; store cooled panels separately on paper.

Files

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Version 3cb8693a-a595-4749-8bde-5631ad3f12ed Updated 2026-10-12

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