Origami has shaped the way I think for as long as I can remember. I didn’t realize it at the time, but years of folding taught me how to visualize problems, recognize structure, and approach things step by step. Those habits turned into real problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and they carried into school, especially in math and anything that involved spatial reasoning.
Teaching origami is my way of passing that on. I want other people to experience the same clarity and creative problem-solving that folding gave me, whether it’s at conventions, in my school’s origami club, or in the programs I run around my community.
Project VisMO is a research-based origami and geometry program developed by faculty at the University of San Diego and funded by the National Science Foundation. I first learned about it through OrigamiUSA’s newspaper The Paper, and their approach to teaching spatial thinking immediately clicked with me. It lined up almost exactly with how I had learned and how I already saw younger students respond when I taught. I reached out soon after and began teaching their curriculum in my community, supported by a Contribution Project Cincinnati grant that funded all materials for my workshops. I’ve also been working with the VisMO team to find new ways to share the program with more students.
I’ve taught the VisMO curriculum through two week-long summer camps at my local library, with 25 students in each session. Each day introduced a new part of the curriculum and used folding to build spatial reasoning, geometry skills, and confidence with math. I taught the sessions along with a helper from my high school’s origami club, which made it easier to work with students one-on-one. Most students came in with little experience, but by the end of the week their visual reasoning and problem-solving skills had noticeably grown.
Along with teaching, I’ve worked virtually with Dr. Myers and her team at the University of San Diego to help expand and refine the VisMO curriculum. I share feedback from my workshops, help test new activities, and supported the transition from virtual lessons to in-person programs. I’ve also taught new instructors how to teach the VisMO curriculum through Zoom trainings, walking them through the lessons and helping them feel confident running their own sessions.
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OrigamiUSA is the largest origami organization in the United States, founded in 1980 and now home to over 3,000 members around the world. It’s one of the most active and influential communities of folders, teachers, and designers today.
The OrigamiUSA Junior Board brings younger voices into the organization and gives us a real role in shaping how the community grows. As a selected member, I help make origami more accessible for students, contribute to youth-focused programs, and share ideas with the main Board about what younger folders need. I applied because I want younger folders to have the opportunities and support I wish I had when I was getting started.
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Origami Universɇity is a monthlong online event the Junior Board is creating as our first major project. It runs across four themed weekends in March and April, covering representational, geometric, and STEM-focused origami through classes, lectures, and community time in a hybrid GatherTown and Zoom setup.
I work on the STEM programming and help with the website and content side of the event. Our goal is to make Origami Universɇity a welcoming place for new folders while still giving more experienced folders something deeper to explore.
Ever since I discovered OrigamiUSA and its vibrant community, I’ve been drawn to its annual convention—so much so that I convinced my parents to take me in 2019, and I’ve attended every year since. As I got deeper into design, I began teaching classes there, sharing some of my models and walking people through how they’re put together. It’s an environment filled with creativity and new ideas, and every year I leave with new techniques, inspiration, and connections.
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OrigamiUSAÂ 2025 Convention
As I became more involved in the origami community, I learned about the many conventions held around the country and was especially drawn to the Origami Club at MIT. In 2024, I attended my first OrigaMIT convention and had the opportunity to teach one of my own designs, sharing both the model and the design process behind it.
OrigaMITÂ 2024
I helped start the Origami Club at my high school because I wanted a place where students could fold together, learn new models, and try out design ideas. We meet twice a month, and sessions range from simple beginner models to modulars and even basic design challenges. It’s become a welcoming space for anyone interested in origami, whether they’re brand new or have been folding for years.
At our local senior center, we host regular origami lessons designed to teach simple, enjoyable models. These sessions are focused on making origami accessible and fun, with step-by-step guidance to help seniors improve dexterity and engage in a creative activity.
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At our local library, we offer origami workshops open to all kids interested in learning. These sessions provide a fun, hands-on way for children to explore creativity and improve their problem-solving skills. It’s usually many kids’ first time folding, and watching them pick it up so quickly is always fun.
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At local culture fairs, we set up origami stands where visitors can learn about the art of folding paper. These interactive displays offer a chance for people of all ages to try their hand at origami, explore its cultural significance, and take home a model they’ve created.
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