Mathematics and Origami Came Together in This Year’s SciFest

When planning for SciFest began, researcher Kirsti Biggs and doctoral student Peleg Bar Lev wanted to find an activity that combined a clear mathematical link with hands-on interactivity.
– We knew the event would feature robots, 3D printers and chemistry experiments, so we needed something that would both stand out and engage visitors, says Kirsti.
– Paper folding turned out to be perfect – both pure origami and other forms with mathematical connections, such as Möbius strips and snowflakes.

Over three busy days, the stand attracted hundreds of curious participants, mainly school pupils and their teachers. Around 600 sheets of paper were used, and one of the most popular figures was the classic crane – despite, or perhaps precisely because, it was the most challenging one.

“SciFest was a wonderful event, and I would encourage anyone who wants to share something exciting and thought-provoking with children, young people and the public to take part,” says Kirsti Biggs.

While much concentration went into the folding itself, many conversations turned to the mathematics behind it. Visitors learned how Miura folding is used in satellite solar panels, about DNA origami, and how geometric problems can be solved through folding.

– Origami involves many of the same skills that are important in mathematics: precision, patience, and the ability to experiment and ask, ‘What happens if I do this?’ says Kirsti Biggs.

– But you can certainly be good at mathematics even if you find origami difficult – sometimes it’s just a matter of practice, or of making the instructions clearer!

Several of the department’s student teaching assistants took part and helped visitors fold figures at varying levels of difficulty. One of the most advanced examples was demonstrated by researcher Lisa Lokteva, who showed the impressive Miura fold.