Paper modeling is the art of constructing scale models of things out of cut and folded pieces of paper. It is a fun and creative way for students of all ages to learn about geology, geography, space science, and other topics.
In the Eagle Commons Library, we have a large selection of templates for paper models that you can print, color, cut out, and assemble. Our paper model templates are usually published by United States federal or Texas state agencies. Most of our models come from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Many of the models are accompanied by additional lesson materials such as vocabulary lists, explanations of main concepts, questions to test one’s knowledge of the material, and bibliographies listing sources of additional information.
The templates are available in a variety of formats. Sometimes we have paper copies, but in many cases our versions are in microfiche format. Almost all of the templates are available online and can be downloaded for free and printed at your convenience. We recommend printing on card stock for extra sturdiness and durability. Most of the templates are available in black and white outline, but a few are available in color.
In addition to those templates produced by the U.S. government, there are many paper model templates available online that are produced by state or foreign government agencies. These also can usually be downloaded for free and printed at your convenience. Sometimes copies of the models already printed on high-quality card stock are available for purchase from government or commercial publishers.
Not all educational models are made of paper or card. Some can be made out of materials such as clay, wood, or even food! If you have access to a 3D printer, NASA also provides some 3D-printable models.
Landforms and Geological Phenomena
The following templates for paper models of landforms and geological phenomena are from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)’s Open-File Reports series. An educator’s guide at the end of each publication provides a summary of the main concepts, a vocabulary list with important words and their definitions, a series of questions to test one’s knowledge of the material, and a bibliography of sources for further reading. Copies at UNT are all in microfiche format, but downloadable and printable PDF versions, sometimes in color, are frequently available on the Internet. Many of these models are accompanied by computer animations, which are not available in the microfiche versions, but are included with the online versions on the USGS Web site.
Antarctic Ice Sheet: Computer Animations and Paper Model (Microfiche). (Open-file Report 98-353A). By Tau Rho Alpha and Alan K. Cooper. Menlo Park, CA: USGS, 1998. (I 19.76:98-353-A). Online version at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1998/0353a/report.pdf
Arctic Delta Processes: A Computer Animation and Paper Models (Microform). (Open-file Report 95-843-A). By Tau Rho Alpha and Erk Reimnitz. Menlo Park, CA: USGS, [1995]. (I 19.76:95-843-A).
Chicxulub Impact Event: Computer Animations and Paper Models (Microfiche). (Open-file Report 97-442-A). By Tau Rho Alpha, John P. Galloway, and Scott W. Starratt. Menlo Park, CA: USGS, 1997. (I 19.76:97-442-A).
Crinoids: A Computer Animation and Paper Model (Microfiche). (Open-file Report 97-91A). By Tau Rho Alpha, Dorothy L. Stout, and Scott W. Starratt. Reston, VA: USGS, 1997. (I 19.76:97-91-A).
Earthquake Effects: A Computer Animation and Paper Model (Microfiche). (Open-file Report 92-200A). By Tau Rho Alpha, Robert A. Page, and Leslie C. Gordon. Menlo Park, CA: USGS, 1992. (I 19.76:92-200-A).
How to Construct Four Paper Models that Describe Island Coral Reefs (Microfiche). (Open-file Report 91-131A). By Tau Rho Alpha. Menlo Park, CA: USGS, 1991. (I 19.76:91-131-A). Instructions and patterns for preparing a set of four three-dimensional paper models that schematically illustrate the stages of development of island coral: a shield volcano, a fringing reef, a barrier reef, and an atoll. Online version at https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1991/0131a/report.pdf
How to Construct a Paper Model Showing the Motion that Occurred on the San Andreas Fault During the Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake of October 17, 1989 (Microfiche). (Open-file Report 89-640A). By Tau Rho Alpha, John C. Lahr, and Linda F. Wagner. Menlo Park, CA: USGS, 1989. (I 19.76:89-640-A).
How to Construct Seven Paper Models that Describe Faulting of the Earth (Microfiche). (Open-file Report 90-257A). By Tau Rho Alpha and John C. Lahr. Menlo Park, CA: USGS, 1990. (I 19.76:90-257-A). Instructions and patterns for preparing seven 3D paper models illustrating common earth faults and associated fault-produced landforms: The faults described are normal, reverse, right- and left-lateral, strike-slip, and oblique-slip; fault-produced landforms include a graben and a horst. Online at https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1990/0257a/report.pdf
How to Construct Two Paper Models Showing the Effects of Glacial Ice on a Mountain Valley (Microfiche). (Open-file Report 89-190A). By Tau Rho Alpha. Menlo Park, CA: USGS, 1989. (I 19.76:89-190-A). Online version at https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1989/0190a/report.pdf
Karst Topography: Computer Animations and Paper Model (Microfiche). (Open-file Report 97-536A). By Tau Rho Alpha, John P. Galloway, and John C. Tinsley. Menlo Park, CA: USGS, 1997. (I 19.76:97-536-A).
Make Your Own Paper Fossils: A Computer Animation and Paper Models (Microfiche). By Tau Rho Alpha, Scott W. Starratt, and James W. Hendley II. (Open-file Report 94-667-A). Menlo Park, CA: USGS, 1994. (I 19.76:94-667-A). Help students and others visualize the size and shape of a trilobite and a nautiloid and learn how they became fossils.
● Online version at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/upload/papermodel_fossils.pdf
● Templates also online for color trilobite model and color nautiloid model
Make Your Own Paper Model of a Volcano (Microfiche). (Open-file Report 91-115). Tau Rho Alpha and Leslie C. Gordon. Menlo Park, CA: USGS, 1991. (I 19.76:91-115-A).
Make Your Own Paper Model of the Northridge, California Earthquake, January 17, 1994 (Microfiche). (Open-file Report 94-143). By Tau Rho Alpha and Ross S. Stein. Menlo Park, CA: USGS, 1994. (I 19.76:94-143).
The Northridge, California, Earthquake of January 1994: A Computer Animation and Paper Model (Microfiche). (Open-file Report 94-214A). By Tau Rho Alpha and Ross S. Stein. Menlo Park, CA: USGS, 1994. (I 19.76:94-214-A).
Ocean Trenches: A Computer Animation and Paper Model (Microfiche). (Open-file Report 96-76A). By Tau Rho Alpha and John P. Galloway. Reston, VA: USGS, 1996. (I 19.76:96-76 A).
Sand Dunes: Computer Animations and Paper Models (Microfiche). (Open-file Report 98-131-A). By Tau Rho Alpha, John P. Galloway, and Scott W. Starratt. Menlo Park, CA: USGS, 1998. (I 19.76:98-131-A). Online version at http://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo56798
Aircraft and Space Exploration
The following models are available from NASA:
Mars Observer Spacecraft: Paper Model Kit. (PED-134). Washington, DC: NASA, Office of Human Resources and Education, Education Division, 1993. (NAS 1.84:134) In Eagle Commons Library.
NASA’s Great Observatories: Paper Model. Washington, DC: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1998. (NAS 1.19:998-12-384-HQ). Online at http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS49185
NASA’s Great Observatories: Paper Model Kits. (PED-136). Greenbelt, MD: NASA, Human Resources and Office of Education, Education Division, 1993. (NAS 1.84:136). In Eagle Commons Library.
X-1 Paper Glider Kit: Investigating the Basics of Flight with a Model of the First Supersonic Aircraft. (NASA Educational Brief EB-2000-03-001-DFRC). Moffett Field, CA: NASA, Dryden Flight Research Center, 2000. (NAS 1.69:EB-2000-03-001-DFRC). Online at http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS15103
Universe Spacecraft Paper Models (NASA): Right now, there are several spacecrafts exploring our Universe. You can build paper versions of many of them right here on Earth.
Other Models
Some templates for paper models are contained within larger documents:
”R. Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion Airocean World Map.” In US Information Agency’s Forum: A Journal for the Teacher of English Outside the United States Vol. 22, No. 4 (October, 1982). (IA 1.17:22/4/[PLATE 1]) In Eagle Commons Library. Plate 1 from this issue is a paper model of Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion Airocean World Map (geodesic globe).
Texas Endangered Species Activity Book. , by Kathleen Marie Jackson and Linda Campbell. Austin, TX: Texas Parks & Wildlife, 1998. (TxD P400.8 EN21S 1998). In Eagle Commons Library. Includes a variety of templates for making animal masks, paper models of various endangered animals, and other educational paper toys. Also available online at http://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0023.pdf
Visiting People on a Dairy Farm. Washington, DC: USDA, 1982. (A 1.2:D 14/4). In Eagle Commons Library. Includes a paper model of a cow, ”Cut out your own cow,” on p. [3] of cover; also online at http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1569
Do You Want to Know More?
There are several online indexes that will link you with other information about paper models:
Creative Park Papercraft provides many free printable paper models for educational and entertainment purposes.
Earth Science 3D Paper Models and Toys (California Department of Conservation)
California Geological Survey (CGS) staff have scoured the Internet and compiled this linked list of over 250 free 3D paper models and paper toys related to the Earth Sciences.
Free Spacecraft Model Kits provides free downloadable models to help learn about different kinds of spacecraft.
The Lower Hudson Valley Paper Model E-Gift Shop offers a variety of free, downloadable paper models for every ability level. They are mostly related to the space sciences, but there are other topics represented as well.
Please ask at the Eagle Commons Library service desk if you would like assistance in searching for or making any of our 3D paper models.
Article and photos by Bobby Griffith.
