Remember how, back in grade school, you’d get so bored in math class, you’d spend the time making paper planes? Truth is, you were actually applying math principles as you made those folded-paper projectiles— you just didn’t realize it. An understanding of math is at the root of all shapes.

This evening, origami expert and math teacher John Montroll is sure to get your full attention as he demonstrates how to put it all together, from creating original designs of beauty and balance to the more recent trend in paper folding, which calls on more technical know-how in order to produce more detailed shapes.

Brush up on your geometry skills and try some origami. Who knew that small square pieces of paper could be so much fun and present some challenges, too.

The Math Alive exhibition in the Ripley Center (through June 3) shows how innovators in design, engineering, technology, and science use math in their work.