Maths Origami Workshop

Title of the activity

General description

Maths Origami Workshop

Origami, a traditional Japanese technique, is the art of paper
folding. In this activity students need to match their manual skills to
Maths and use their hands to make Maths shapes and objects. In
this way geometrical rules, axioms and operations are physically
elaborated and stimulate kinaesthetic learning.

Students age
Type of intelligence
addressed
Educational goals

Expected results

Methodology

Required tools
Evaluation

15
Bodily-kinesthetic
To develop fundamental geometrical ideas and spatial intuition
To experience geometry by folding paper
To know geometrical solids
To study Mathematical vocabulary
To increase understanding of symmetry, angle, congruence and
similarity
To make objects by manipulation
To practice fractions, ratios, proportions, and measurement
To develop problem solving and critical thinking skills
The students are expected to test their kinesthetic intelligence by
creating geometrical objects. At the end they will be able to say
they are/are not kinesthetic learners. This activity can be defined as
a metacognitive experience.
Final products: paper geometrical objects like regular and starred
polyhedra
Workshop 1 (2 hours)
The expert shows the basics of the origami technique. Students get
acquainted with folding and manipulating. They produce simple
geometrical objects like cubes.
Workshop 2 (2 hours)
Students are shown how to make more complex geometrical solids
like starred polyhedra compositions. They have their try.
Workshop 3 (2 hours)
The students try with other solids like octahedra, tetrahedra and
dodecahedra.
Square sheets of colored paper, scissors, glue and ruler.
Evaluation must consider the following points:
Quantity and quality of products
Involvement of students
Raised awareness of kinesthetic learning (this can be done with a

final brain storm or debate).

Teachers
recommendations

You cannot improvise, so you need to learn the procedure of

folding on your own beforehand or otherwise involve an expert.

Link(s)

http://youtu.be/IVo5vtirAS4 Video on Maths Origami Workshop

http://youtu.be/J9gvXmu_1BE Video on Origami cube construction
http://www.mathigon.org/origami/ Website on mathematical
origami