origami Math/Science teaching ideas

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

There is a problem with the space exploration. That is you have to have a small ship but big packages in order to have the robots on planets. Origami is the solution. Check out this site
http://www.nature.com/news/2004/040809/full/040809-5.html
This is an origami space sail.

How about an origami telescope
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/origami_design_020220-1.html

So for some of you science and math teachers out there. Is this a way to get kids into math or not? I think that some of these sites can really make the math, geometry come alive. [Edit by="mabers on Aug 29, 8:47:44 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

The two websites that you posted are great to use to discuss origami and math. They can also be used for art as well.[Edit by="vhui on Aug 29, 8:35:44 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

I think the websites that you refer to are great although a few lessons before these would probably be recommended. I was just reading on another thread that some students have difficulty with building just a crane. These lessons might be more difficult so that has to be kept in mind.

[Anonymous]

Although I do not teach math or science, I did attempt to teach my humanities students how to make a crane. It took three days for my first period to complete the cranes, after all the mistakes and struggles. My other two blocks took five days to finish the cranes. I only gave my blocks one period each day to work on them. They really did struggle, even though the crane is supposed to be basic for origami.

Each day, I went through the paper I had passed out, and how to actually make one. But, it was just a little too complex.

[Anonymous]

Did you know that there is an organization for Origami in Science and Math Education? They had a conference at Cal Tech a few months ago (my son volunteered so we drove him there and helped during registration). At the conference, there were educators from all over the world, including many from school districts throughout the country. They represented all levels: many college professors, but administrators and teachers in K-12 also. There is a website for the group (Google it with OSME and origami). I had no idea, but my son (15 yrs) is an origami enthusiast who does what is sometimes referred to as "extreme" origami, so that's how we learned about the group.
aileen willoughby

[Anonymous]

I agree. Origami is a great way to introduce geometric figures. The students can use the figure to identify what types of triangles are on the paper, what angles can be seen. A lot of questions can be derived from the figure itself...

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