ARTStemmer Takes Paperfolding From Big Screen to the Classroom

Camie Bell teaches Algebra II and Pre-Calculus at RJ Reynolds High School. She is an ARTStem participant.

". . . Right now we are studying right triangle and oblique triangle trigonometry. When a paper crane or any other design is folded then unfolded, the result is wonderfully symmetric design of the triangles we are studying. When I saw the film Between the Folds this summer with the ARTStem group, I realized that watching the film might help students visualize some of the mathematical concepts. During the segment on the math professor that folds the "bugs," they flash several trigonometric functions that are used to recreate the designs for the bug foldings. Students don't often get to see the application of the trig formulas. Without the ARTStem group, I would not have made the connection. Students actually watched the film. I think they enjoyed it. One of my students recognized Eric [Demaine], the young man from MIT. He is her cousin's boyfriend. [He once folded paper napkins for her while waiting to be served at a restaurant]. That helped add to the interest level. The people in the film became real. Small world! I have really enjoyed having my perspective altered a little bit! It wouldn't have happened without ARTStem."

Above, Camie refers to the film we screened over in the UNCSA Film Village during the ARTStem seminar in August, Between the Folds. Here's a trailer:



And here's Camie Bell in action in the classroom.