Getting a grip on crystallography: designing a versatile teaching aid for science and engineering students

The use of origami as an accessible and transferable modelling system through which to convey the intricacies of molecular shape, chirality and geometric isomerism is presented. The models are shown to provide an accessible resource that provides a tangible structure whose manipulation can aid the visualisation of the key symmetryconcepts. In contrast to conventional ball and stick models – the paper-based systemcan be implemented at almost zero cost and can be simply and effectively integrated into the lecture and tutorial session. Moreover, it was found to provide a take-home trophy that served as an important aide-mémoire and focus for discussion. The systems can be harnessed to address fundamental principles and broader themes suchas receptor site recognition or enzyme lock and key substrate binding and have the potential to cut across both secondary and tertiary science and engineering curricula.The design of custom templates based on powerpoint and e-resources to aid the delivery and construction of the models is described.