We might surmise that the hexagon is one of nature's favorite shapes.

The honeycomb is the most obvious example of the hexagon in nature.  But there is also the "Giant's Causeway" , an area of more than 40,000 interlocking basalt columns on the coast of Northern Ireland that are predominantly-- you guessed it-- hexagon shaped.  There is also the sunbeam snake, which has hexagon-shaped scales.

But a really interesting example of the hexagon in science is the so-called "magic hexagon" in mathematics.  Sudoku fans will enjoy these puzzles that have you fill in numeric values in a hexagon-shaped matrix.  Print them out and try them on your lunch break.  (and if you get stumped, check here for the answers, and the history and math behind it).

Click to View & Print 

Have more fun at the Hexagon 2012 International conference.  Educational, Informational, Network Building, and of course, Fun!