Pi Makes the Pie Perfect

Build Your Own
Pi Day Cookie Cutter!

Math • Engineering • Creativity • Delicious Possibilities!

A STEMulating Adventures Hands-On Challenge

STEMulating Adventures

Ready to put your Pi Day learning into action?

You’ve watched Pi Makes the Pie Perfect, explored the mathematics of circles, and watched Dr. G and Dr. Nancy take on the challenge. Now it’s your turn to build!

Use math, engineering, creativity, and problem-solving to design and build your own Pi Day cookie cutter. Explore circumference and diameter, sketch a design, turn that 2D idea into a 3D tool, and put your creation to the test.

↓ DOWNLOAD THE PROJECT GUIDE (PDF)
Dr. G and Dr. Nancy demonstrating the Pi Day project

See How It’s Done!

Before you start building, join Dr. G and Dr. Nancy as they take on the Pi Day Cookie Cutter Challenge. Watch how they work through the project, then grab your materials and try it yourself.

▶ WATCH DR. G & DR. NANCY BUILD IT

🧰 Gather Your Materials

🥤Plastic cup
🧻Aluminum foil or thin craft aluminum
📏Ruler or measuring tape
✂️Safety scissors
⭕Tape or adhesive tabs
📄Cardstock or paper
✏️Pencils and markers
🟢Play-dough or modeling clay

Let’s Build! Step-by-Step

EXPLORE • DESIGN • BUILD • TEST • IMPROVE
1

Start With a Prototype

  • Cut the lower third of a plastic cup.
  • Attach the bottom to a cardboard square.
  • Use it to cut a piece of play-dough.
2

Discover the Math of Pi

  • Measure a circle’s circumference with string and compare it to the diameter.
  • Calculate C ÷ D and look for approximately 3.14.
  • Brainstorm Pi Day shapes.
3

Design Your Cutter

  • Sketch your design on paper.
  • Try a circle, square, or heart for a simpler design.
  • For a challenge, try π, 3-1-4, or a Fibonacci spiral.
4

Build It!

  • Fold foil strips lengthwise 2–3 times for strength.
  • Bend them to match your drawing.
  • Secure the ends with tape.
  • Keep edges smooth for safer handling.
5

Test, Improve, Try Again

  • Press the cutter into play-dough or clay.
  • Reinforce folds, add tape, or simplify the design if needed.
  • Test again—engineers improve through iteration!
6

Share & Reflect

  • Show your finished cutter and test impression.
  • Talk about the math you used.
  • Think about turning flat designs into useful 3D tools.
C ÷ D ≈ 3.14 = π
The ratio is always the same!

Think Like an Engineer

💭 What math helped you build your shape?
🛠️ Where else do engineers design tools like this?
📐 What was hardest about turning your design into 3D?
YOU
DID IT!

You didn’t just learn about π—you used it.

You used mathematics to design, build, test, and improve something of your own. That’s what STEMulating Adventures is all about!

← BACK TO PI MAKES THE PIE PERFECT
STEMulating Adventures • Pi Day Project Challenge