A Multidisciplinary Origami Activity: Fractions in the Solar System

A multidisciplinary origami activity that could be used in middle school mathematics and science lessons was designed and implemented. Mathematical purpose of the origami activity is to support students' conceptual understanding and procedural skills related to the concept of fraction. Regarding science, the activity aims to visualize Solar system and support its conceptual learning. The activity was implemented with 7th grade students in order to help them remember the related content and overcome the difficulties they experienced. The implementation process revealed that this multidisciplinary activity can be used by middle school teachers to support students' conceptual understanding of fractions and solar system topics, and to overcome some difficulties they experienced while learning these topics. Details about students' views and approaches that emerged during the implementation of the activity, teacher's views about the implementation, as well as suggestions for teachers who want to implement the activity, are given throughout the paper.