Associate Professor Suyi Li and students from his lab took origami folding to an event bringing together the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, art, and math in rural Virginia.

The event took place at Amherst Middle School in Amherst, Virginia, where Li and his team showed students and parents how the art of folding paper can create objects that inspire engineering solutions. Origami is central to Li's research, which uses the folded patterns to create responsive engineered designs.

Participants in the event were able to choose from three designs provided by the team including an expanding flasher pattern and two load-bearings patterns, Miura-ori and Ron-Resch.

"Lots of research data has proved that origami is an engaging, accessible, and effective tool for teaching science and engineering," said Li. "I hope we can use paper folding to inspire more children and their parents."