Folded paper, dynamic geometry, and proof: a three-tier approach to the conics

Paper folding techniques used in combination with the computer simulation program The Geometer's Sketchpad as described in 'Exploring Conic Sections with The Geometer's Sketchpad' are an excellent way to teach students how to discover the underlying patterns in conics. By modeling the ellipse, hyperbola, and parabola, students can learn the underlying geometry needed to create models and can explore more possibilities. The Sketchpad models help students locate tangency points and connect the models to the concept of conics.