Summary
Areas of Science
Difficulty
Method
Time Required
Long (2-4 weeks)
Credits
Science Buddies is committed to creating content authored by scientists and educators.
Learn more about our process and how we use AI.
*Note:
For this science project, you will need to develop your own experimental procedure. Use the information on this page as a starting place.
If you would like to discuss your ideas or need help troubleshooting, use the
Ask An Expert forum.
Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions and offer guidance if you come to them with specific questions.
If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk (*) at the end of the title.
If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk (*) at the end of the title.
Abstract
How do you turn a 2-dimensional piece of paper into a 3-dimensional work of art? Origami, the classical art of Japanese paper folding, is loaded with mathematical themes and concepts. What are the common folds in origami, and how do they combine to create 3-dimensional structure? Can you classify different types of origami into classes based upon the types of folds they use? Can you show Kawasaki's Theorem, that if you add up the angle measurements of every other angle around a point, the sum will be 180? (Andersen, 2004) Can you show that Huzita's Axioms, a set of seven rules of paper folding, are true? (Wikipedia contributors, 2006)Bibliography
- Andersen, E. M., 2004. Origami and Math, Paperfolding.com. Retrieved 5/1/06.
- Wikipedia contributors, 2006. Huzita-Hatori axioms, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 5/1/06.
Ask an Expert
Do you have specific questions about your science project? Our team of volunteer scientists can help. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions, offer guidance, and help you troubleshoot.
Careers
If you like this project, you might enjoy exploring these related careers:
Career Profile
Mathematicians are part of an ancient tradition of searching for patterns, conjecturing, and figuring out truths based on rigorous deduction. Some mathematicians focus on purely theoretical problems, with no obvious or immediate applications, except to advance our understanding of mathematics, while others focus on applied mathematics, where they try to solve problems in economics, business, science, physics, or engineering.
Read more
Career Profile
CAD (computer-aided design) technicians combine art and engineering to prepare the technical drawings and plans from which everything in the world is made—from toys to toasters, houses to hoses, satellites to sewer systems. CAD technicians are essential to the design and construction of everything you see around you.
Read more
Related Links
Cite This Page
General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.MLA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
"Origami." Science Buddies,
20 Nov. 2020,
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Math_p032/pure-mathematics/origami?from=TSW&isb=cmlkOjEzNDg5NzYsc2lkOjEscDoxLGlhOk1hdGg.
Accessed 9 June 2026.
APA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
(2020, November 20).
Origami.
Retrieved from
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Math_p032/pure-mathematics/origami?from=TSW&isb=cmlkOjEzNDg5NzYsc2lkOjEscDoxLGlhOk1hdGg
Last edit date: 2020-11-20







