Purpose:  The purpose of this activity is for the students to label the parts of the plane, choose a paper plane design that they believe will fly the farthest and test the results, graph the longest and average distances flown for each of paper planes.

Objectives: Label the parts of the airplane Make and fly a paper airplane Work cooperatively with a partner in collecting data Materials:  1. Teacher Model--Airplane model

 

Procedure/Activities: Show the students the model plane  List the parts of the plane—cockpit,  Students make their own planes  Students make the same design paper airplane. The design should be simple to make and fly well.

The students will be given five trials (one each day) to test their plane. Each day they will record the distance of the flight. Each day they will use methods or materials that will enhance their flight distance. To test the paper airplanes a space at least 60 ft long is needed. The gym, school cafeteria, or long hallway will work.  After each trial the students should make a log of the flight. The students should predict what they could do to make the flight better for the next trial.

Evaluation:  We will know if the students met the objectives if they were able to label the parts of the airplane and make and fly a paper airplane improving the plane after each trial.

Sources:  http://ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Lessons/Science/Process_skills/