Origami Blends Art and Science
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Origami is not an easy children’s hobby, according to Professor Duk Lee of Asbury College. “Rather, it is a serious art and science.” Lee is a Kentucky-based artist, scientist and educator. His interest in origami began with studying its usefulness to teach mathematics.
Origami is the traditional Japanese art of folding paper into decorative shapes without the use of glue or scissors. It uses only a small variety of folds, combined in creative ways to make intricate designs. Usually, designs begin as a square sheet of paper, with different colors or prints used for each side.
So how does this creative endeavor lend itself to mathematics? According to Wikipedia, some geometry problems cannot be solved using a compass and straightedge, but they can be solved using only a few paper folds. Moving beyond paper, problems solved through origami have resulted in the deployment of large solar panel arrays for space satellites.
Origami clearly is one of the more creative and educational hobbies.
Sources:
Mathematics of Paper Folding on Wikipedia
Exhibit Focuses on Art, Science and Math of Origami
Image Credit: fdecomite on flickr
Related Products: Origami Books & Resources
