Force and motion
Pop-ups
4. Finding Patterns in the Folds
Overview
Students tape multiple strips into the book and investigate how different page positions affect the resulting folds. In one experiment, most of the pop-ups are asymmetric (different page positions on either side) while in the other they are all symmetric (same distance on each side). Through these experiments, the students discover the answers to these questions: * If a pop-up is asymmetric, on which side will the fold will the fold be? * If two strips are taped symmetrically, but at different page positions from each other, how will the resulting pop-ups be different?
Materials
For each student:
- Scissors and tape
- Ball-point pen and ruler for making sharp folds. The pens don’t have to write
- Two [Parallel-fold templates](#The Parallel-fold Template), printed or photocopied on 8 ½″ x 11″ cardstock
- [Worksheet: Near & Far](#Worksheet: Near & Far)
- [Worksheet: High & Low](#Worksheet: High & Low)
- Science notebooks
- Folder for saving pop-ups
Procedure
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Near & Far: Provide each student with a template, other materials for making pop-ups, and a “Near & Far” Worksheet. Then demonstrate how to assemble the template for the “Near & Far” experiment. Ask students to predict what pop-ups will look like after they close the book and then open it. See a video showing what happens. Outcome: The pop-up will make the fold on the side farther from the gutter, unless it is symmetric. In case it is symmetric, the fold will happen in the center.
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High & Low: Provide each student with a new template and a “High & Low” Worksheet. Demonstrate how to assemble the template for “High & Low.” Ask students to predict what pop-ups will look like after they close the book and then open it. See a video showing what happens. Outcome: The closer the page positions are to the gutter, the higher the pop-up will stand.
Near & Far; The Parallel-fold Template
Troubleshooting
Click on these links to find out what do if …