This lesson helps students prepare for these Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations:ĭevelop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system.ĭevelop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. Understand how potential energy is converted to kinetic energy when using the launcher.Use the engineering design process to design, build, and test a paper airplane launcher.How do airplanes manage to gain enough speed for takeoff over such a short distance? A catapult gives them an extra boost! In this lesson, your students will practice engineering design as they build their own paper airplane launchers, while learning about kinetic and potential energy. Thrust is the helping push we give the plane to get it in the air.Create Assignment Create Announcement OverviewĪircraft carriers are much shorter than a typical airport runway.Forces of lift, like drag, have to do with the movement of the air in relation to the design of the plane.Gravity is defied with the help of drag.Drag has to do with the wings of the airplane reacting against the movement of the air.The shape of the paper airplane has to contend with: drag, gravity, forces of lift, and thrust. That is how the air around you interacts with objects that pass through it. The reason paper airplanes fly has to do with aerodynamics.

Fold the wings down to meet the bottom edge of the planes body.Īnd voilà! You are now ready to throw.

Fold the top corners into the centre line.

Unfold to show the line that you just created. Let’s live our airplane aesthetic dreams and make a plane that’s easy to fold and flies a fair distance, too! These planes prioritise wing span, making them very acrobatic. With a lot of weight put in the front, this plane travels a fair distance. Planes in this difficulty are the hardest to fold but are great at spending more time flying than falling. Looking very similar to an actual airplane, The Sprinter is very acrobatic. With a large wing span, this plane stays in the air for a decent amount of time. Rounding off this difficultly, The Stable is the more acrobatic of the easy planes.Īll the planes in this difficulty are good at going the distance. This plane looks the most like a stereotypical paper airplane. It has more “airtime” than other craft in this difficulty.

You’ve probably made this one before as it’s the more common type of plane. There are different types of airplanes you can choose to fold - each providing unique qualities and construction difficulties. It provides enough durability while still being relatively light. An A4 or letter-size harder paper like copy or colour paper is the best material to use. You want your plane to be big enough that it can take flight, but not so large that it easily loses momentum. The first step is choosing the right material.

Here are our tips for making a successful paper airplane. But how do you make the perfect paper airplane? In today’s blog, we attempt to answer that question as well as look into the science behind what makes these aircraft fly. From sending notes in class, to having contests to see whose plane goes the furthest, this easy craft is fun and scientific. Paper airplanes have been around for most people’s childhoods.

Best paper airplane design