Wataru Takada Tumblr Blog

A graduate of Grade 2-8 United Nations International School in New York City, Wataru Takada attends Bronx High School of Science, where he is working toward a career in mathematics. Having already completed honors courses in trigonometry and math research, Wataru Takada is enrolled in AP physics and statistics as well as honors pre-calculus. Wataru Takada 's math experience outside of the school's regular curriculum is extensive. Since the beginning of his sophomore year, he has been working with a University of Rochester professor on a post-college-level math research project that he intends to submit to the 2017 Regeneron Science Talent Search. The recipient of a silver medal at Greater NY Math Fair in 2016, he also volunteers as a math tutor for middle school students every Saturday. As a middle school student, Wataru Takada took part in a variety of extracurricular activity programs, such as the NYC Aerospace Camp and Digital Universe Flight School. In recent years, he has completed a Bronx Zoo internships and taken part in NY Math Circle, an invite-only summer course for high school students.

[watarutakada-blog]

Origami USA Submission Formats

Wataru Takada is a proficient math and science student at the Bronx High School of Science. A graduate of the United Nations International School, Wataru Takada also enjoys origami and plans to submit a work to the Origami USA Convention this year. Origami USA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing the art of origami across the United States. Originally founded more than 30 years ago as the Friends of The Origami Center of America, Origami USA is headquartered in New York City at the Museum of Natural History, and has grown to include more than 1,600 members from around the world. As part of its mission to nurture the practice of origami, Origami USA accepts article and diagram submissions from the public. Once received, submissions may be published in one of several formats. - The Fold: An online magazine, The Fold accepts submissions throughout the year and can accommodate a range of formats. - The Paper: A print magazine, The Paper has no fixed deadlines for submission and prefers submissions be sent in PDF format. - The Origami Collection. The organization’s annual convention book, the collection accepts submissions throughout the year. - Website Diagrams: A free section of the website. Diagrams should be in PDF format and include step-by-step directions. For additional details, visit www.origamiusa.org.

[watarutakada-blog]

Volunteering with Top Honors

A dedicated student at The Bronx High School of Science in New York, Wataru Takada divides his time between schoolwork and volunteer work. He serves as a math tutor for middle school students through Top Honors and provides help every Saturday for at least three hours. Wataru Takada earned the June 2016 Most Supportive Award for outstanding tutoring. A free tutoring program, Top Honors relies heavily on volunteers to continue helping students strengthen their critical thinking and math capabilities. These volunteers not only have the opportunity to give back by helping students, but they are also given the chance to meet like-minded volunteers and participate in regular social events hosted by Top Honors. All volunteers receive training and mentoring services to ensure they are confident in their teaching capabilities and, thus, do not need to be a math genius to participate in the program. Once individuals become volunteers with Top Honors, they must attend at least 80 percent of scheduled weekly tutoring sessions. These sessions are held on Saturdays and Wednesdays in Downtown Brooklyn and on the Upper East Side and are open to sixth, seventh, and eighth graders who attend school in New York City. During each session, volunteer tutors use real-life examples, games, and fast-paced exercises to help students quickly improve their skills. Individuals who are unable to commit to at least 80 percent of scheduled tutoring can volunteer with Top Honors in other ways. The organization frequently looks for event planners, graphic designers, administrators, and photographers.

[watarutakada-blog]

How to Fold an Origami Crane

Wataru Takada, a student at Bronx High School of Science, is preparing for college applications. Born in Japan, Wataru Takada has maintained a strong interest in origami since middle school. One of the most recognizable origami figures is the paper crane. To make this, follow the instructions below: 1. With a square piece of paper, fold the top corner down to the bottom corner. Open the paper up again. Place the left and right corner together and crease the paper. 2. Turn the paper so that the white side is up and fold it in half so that the two sides line up. Crease and open the paper and then fold in half again in the other direction. 3. While keeping the paper with the white side up, bring the top corner and the two side corners to the bottom. This creates a smaller square shape. Flatten the model. 4. Fold the top flaps on either side so that they line up in the center. Unfold them and fold the top of the model downward. The crease made during this fold should create a triangle with the two creases made from folding the flaps. 5. Open the uppermost flap on the model and bring it upwards. As the top moves up, the sides of the paper move in. Press these side inwards so that they meet in the middle. 6. Turn the model over and repeat steps 4 and 5. This should create a diamond shape. 7. Fold the top flaps of the diamond into the center and repeat this on the other side. After doing this, the model should have two “legs” at the bottom. Fold both legs up at an angle so they stick out from the “body.” Unfold both legs. 8. Following the crease made in step 7, reverse fold the legs so they appear to come from the inside of the body. Fold down the top corner on either side of the body to create the wings and reverse fold one “leg” to create the head.

[kittehkats]

Cat

Designed by Kyohei Katsuta. Folded from 35cm pearl crumpled paper.

[doityourselfproject]

DIY Origami Bow //  @diyxbik Credits: @ventunoart @arunkrishnanm

[watarutakada-blog]

Levels of Competition at the Greater New York Math Fair

Wataru Takada is a high school student with a strong aptitude tor math and science. In recent months, Wataru Takada brought home a silver medal in the Greater New York Math Fair for his work entitled Properties of an Apollonian Gasket. Formerly known as the New York City Math Fair, the Greater New York Math Fair is the state's largest math research event for students. Each year, students from New York City and beyond enter their original research on topics in mathematics. Top entrants are invited to present their work to a panel of mathematicians and researchers at the math fair. To accommodate all levels of math education, the fair maintains four levels of competition for students. Students who are currently taking geometry should compete in the level one category. Those who are enrolled in a general-level algebra 2 course or trigonometry should compete at level two, while honor students in similar courses are ready for level three. Students who have advanced to calculus are to enter level four, the highest category in this competition. To learn more, visit www.nycmathfair.com.  

[watarutakada-blog]

The Unfolding of the Art of Origami around the World

Wataru Takada will begin his senior year at the Bronx High School of Science in fall 2017. Throughout his school career he has shown himself to be a gifted student, particularly in mathematics and the sciences. Wataru Takada’s strong extracurricular interest in origami reflects his fascination with structure, form, and pattern. Origami is an art in which one creates two- and three-dimensional figures by folding and shaping specially made paper. It likely originated in Japan, although some art experts believe that it may have been widely practiced early on in many cultures. In fact, origami’s origins are mysterious, since paper is distinctly vulnerable to destruction. The word “origami” derives from the Japanese for “to fold” (“oru”) and “paper” (“kami”). Folders typically make use of one square sheet per object, although rectangles and other shapes are also acceptable. The art of papermaking developed in China around 100 C.E. A few hundred years later, the technique had reached Japan, but for centuries paper was so rare that working it into art was reserved mainly for ceremonial occasions. By the 17th century, however, the art of paper-folding had become a common pastime for many people. Historians believe that the European tradition of paper-folding began when the Moors introduced it in Spain at the height of the Middle Ages. By the early 1800s, paper-folding in Europe and Japan was popular with young children. Today’s origami designs take advantage of advanced mathematical models, with origami masters constructing increasingly complex puzzles.

[watarutakada-blog]

Top Honors’ Participation in the 2017 New York City Marathon

Wataru Takada attends The Bronx High School of Science, where he takes several AP classes, primarily focused on physics and mathematics. Beyond his studies, Wataru Takada volunteers for Top Honors, through which he tutors middle school students in mathematics. A free program that focuses on helping students develop fundamental mathematics skills, Top Honors is open to middle and high school students. Top Honors has achieved selection as an official charity partner for the 2017 New York City Marathon, which takes place on November 5, 2017. The team will take part in one of the world’s largest marathon events with the aim of increasing awareness of the Top Honors offering while raising funds to ensure the program can serve as many students as possible. Application for Top Honors marathon team membership is available to all, with each applicant receiving equal consideration. Marathon team members will raise at least $4,000 each, and a limited amount of spots within the team are available. To apply to Team Top Honors or provide support to the organization, visit www.tophonors.org/run/.