A moebius strip is a loop of paper with a half twist in it.
What to do with a moebius strip.
1. Take a strip of paper.

2. Give it a half twist (turn one end over).

3. Tape the ends together.

After you make your moebius strip, take a pencil and draw a line along the length. How many sides does the moebius strip have?

Take a pair of scissors and cut the moebius strip along the line you have drawn. What happened?

What do you think will happen if you cut it down the middle again? Try it.
Here is a moebius strip drawn by M.C. Escher. Look at the path of the ants on it. What side of the strip are the ants walking on?
Moebius was a mathematician and astronomer in the 1800s.
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