Scissors. Purple glue sticks. Paper designs to cut out and fold. Chris Lowry teaches advanced geology college courses at UB. But some of the tools he brings to class evoke the joy of grade school.

Papercraft projects tend to be based on 3D models from video games or custom-made art projects. The basic idea is to take a 3D model and flatten it out in software such as Dunreeb Cutout or Pepakura ...