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Mathematics through Origami
Origami is a form of visual and sculptural representation that is defined primarily by the folding of the medium (usually paper). Origami is a Japanese word from the Heian era which literally means paper-folding (Ori-to fold & gami-paper) and was used primarily at ceremonial occasions. Cultural exchanges between the East and the West gave rise to both Japanese and European forms of classic and modern origami and its creative possibilities have been adapted by various educational institutes and forums.
Mathematics through Origami: How does origami and math relate to each other? The connection with geometry is clear and yet multifaceted; a folded model is both a piece of art and a geometric figure. Most children fear mathematics which originates from its abstract nature and ways of teaching as well. By elucidating maths in origami the child is liberated from stereotype procedures and into boundless design possibilities. The mathematician is ushered into the realm of sensuousness and tactility. Through origami constructions, various geometric operations can be formed and performed by folding a piece of paper, using the raw edges and points of the paper, as well as any subsequent crease lines and points created while folding.
Various cubes, cuboids, cylinders, cones and innumerable other hard-to-define shapes in various colours are created with origami without any use of a single glue stick or a pair of scissors. Teaching math through origami helps children understand the concepts, for instance, they realize why the volume of a cylinder is calculated the way it is. This workshop introduces mathematics without numbers and equations and via origami abstract concepts are transformed into tactile shapes filled with beauty and colour!
Facilitator: Ravindra Keskar
Ravindra Keskar is an electronics engineer and a lecturer at the St. Xavier Institute of Engineering in Mumbai. Since the last twenty years, he has worked to popularize mathematics through origami and is currently writing his fourth book on the subject. He has been honored by national and state awards for his efforts to introduce this unique way to understand mathematics via the non-numerical aspects of origami. He regularly conducts workshops for children, math-phobiacs and marginalized groups with the firm belief that one can never separate beauty from mathematics.
Duration of Workshop: 2 days (10.30am – 5.30pm)
Participating NGOs: Aseema, Doorstep School, Muktangan and The Vatsalya Foundation.