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NEW
11 Oct 2026
The Japanese art of paper folding is called origami — from the Japanese words “oru” (to fold) and “kami” (paper).
Photo by Kosei Saito/Getty Images
Clever Folds: How Origami Inspires Modern Science and Technology
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Section: Warm Up
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Scientists use paper folding to design space rocket parts.
b) Origami is only used to make paper birds and hats.
c) Robots use origami to fly in the sky.
Ask:
(1) What can you make by folding paper?
(2) How can small things open up to become big?
VOCABULARY
fold (/fəʊld/, verb)
Meaning: To bend something so that one part covers another part.
Example: Please fold your paper in half to make a card.
paper (/ˈpeɪpə/, noun)
Meaning: Thin flat material used for writing, drawing, or folding.
Example: She drew a pretty picture on a white sheet of paper.
shape (/ʃeɪp/, noun)
Meaning: The form or outline of an object, like a circle or square.
Example: The star is a fun shape to draw.
tool (/tuːl/, noun)
Meaning: An object used to help do a job or task.
Example: A hammer is a useful tool for building things.
space (/speɪs/, noun)
Meaning: The empty area outside the Earth where stars and planets are.
Example: Astronauts travel in rockets far out into space.
rocket (/ˈrɒkɪt/, noun)
Meaning: A tall vehicle that travels up into outer space.
Example: The bright rocket flew up into the night sky.
Paper folding is an ancient art. People call it origami. Today, scientists use this art to make new things. Origami helps engineers design special tools. For example, space rockets carry large solar panels. These panels fold up tight for the launch. When the rocket reaches space, the panels open wide. They catch sunlight and make power. Doctors also use origami ideas. They build tiny medical devices that travel inside the human body. A tiny device can travel through narrow blood vessels. Once it reaches the right place, it opens up to help a sick heart or fix a blocked tube. Scientists also fold paper materials to create strong shelters. These shelters protect people after natural disasters happen. Folding makes flat sheets much stronger. By bending paper and other thin materials, inventors solve big problems. Nature and math guide their work every day. Origami is not just for fun anymore. It is a powerful tool for modern science and engineering.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What is origami in your own words?
2. Why do space rockets need solar panels that can fold?
3. How can tiny medical devices help people inside the body?
4. Why are folded paper materials stronger than flat sheets?
5. Would you like to build an invention using paper folding? Why?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: design, engineers, fold, space
Paper folding is an ancient art. People call it origami. Today, scientists use this art to make new things. Origami helps _______(1) _______(2) special tools. For example, space rockets carry large solar panels. These panels _______(3) up tight for the launch. When the rocket reaches _______(4), the panels open wide. They catch sunlight and make power. Doctors also use origami ideas. They build tiny medical devices that travel inside the human body. A tiny device can travel through narrow blood vessels. Once it reaches the right place, it opens up to help a sick heart or fix a blocked tube. Scientists also fold paper materials to create strong shelters. These shelters protect people after natural disasters happen. Folding makes flat sheets much stronger. By bending paper and other thin materials, inventors solve big problems. Nature and math guide their work every day. Origami is not just for fun anymore. It is a powerful tool for modern science and engineering.
Section 2: Main Idea
Choose the best main idea for the article:
a) Origami is only a fun game for children playing with paper.
b) Ancient paper folding helps scientists build clever tools for space and medicine.
c) Space rockets do not need solar panels to make power.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
1. Origami is an ancient art of folding paper. T/F
2. Solar panels on rockets do not need to fold up. T/F
3. Folding makes flat sheets of material much stronger. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Number these sentences from 1 to 3 in the correct order:
[ ] The rocket reaches space and the solar panels open wide.
[ ] Scientists use paper folding ideas to design special tools.
[ ] The large solar panels fold up tight for the rocket launch.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. fold
2. rocket
3. tool
4. space
5. shape
a) A tall vehicle that travels up into outer space.
b) The form or outline of an object.
c) To bend something so that one part covers another part.
d) An object used to help do a job or task.
e) The empty area outside the Earth where stars are.
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. Origami is a traditional art where people fold _______ into amazing shapes.
a) metal
b) paper
c) water
2. Scientists use folding ideas to make _______ for rockets and medicine.
a) toys
b) food
c) tools
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
Unscramble the words to make correct sentences:
A) helps / origami / Engineers / design / tools / special
B) open / wide / panels / The / space / in
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer: a) Scientists use paper folding to design space rocket parts.
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
1. engineers
2. design
3. fold
4. space
Section 2: Main Idea
b) Ancient paper folding helps scientists build clever tools for space and medicine.
Section 3: True or False
1. True (T)
2. False (F)
3. True (T)
Section 4: Put Events in Order
3 - The rocket reaches space and the solar panels open wide.
1 - Scientists use paper folding ideas to design special tools.
2 - The large solar panels fold up tight for the rocket launch.
Section 5: Vocab Match
1 -> c
2 -> a
3 -> d
4 -> e
5 -> b
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. b (paper)
2. c (tools)
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
A) Origami helps engineers design special tools.
B) The panels open wide in space.
Section 8: Discussion Questions (Sample Answers)
1. Origami is the traditional art of folding paper into shapes.
2. Rockets have limited space, so solar panels must fold up during launch.
3. Tiny devices travel through blood vessels to help a sick heart or fix tubes.
4. Bending flat sheets creates geometry that adds strength and stability.
5. Yes, because making things fold is useful for building clever inventions.
Thank you for your feedback!