Paper+Airplanes

=Challenge #2: Paper Airplane Activity=

Objective:
To construct a paper airplane and test it using 4 different challenges.

Equipment:

 * Elementary teachers will provide:
 * 8 ½ x 10 paper – at least one per elementary student
 * colored pencils and crayons
 * large paperclips – at least one per elementary student
 * masking tape
 * hula-hoops - 2-3 per group
 * stopwatches- 1 per group
 * recording sheet – 1 per group
 * clipboard- 1 per group
 * pencils-1 per group
 * large space (e.g. gym, café, hallways, playground)


 * High school teachers will provide:
 * paper airplane templates – 1 set per group – (e.g. http://www.10paperairplanes.com/)
 * measuring tape- centimeters (1 per group)

General Description:

 * 1) Students should be divided into groups with 4 or 5 elementary school students working with one or two high school students.
 * 2) High school students should become familiar with paper airplane templates and the challenges before arriving at the elementary school.
 * 3) When the science buddies are working together, plan for a 10 minute introduction to the project, 20 minutes for the design and construction of the airplanes, 30 minutes for the airplane challenge completion, and 20 minutes for wrap-up debriefing.

Introduction:

 * Science buddy teams will come into the classroom and sit down. The high school teacher will give a brief discussion on how paper airplanes fly and demonstrate the construction of a simple paper airplane. The high school teacher and the elementary teacher will work together to model each of the challenges to the students.

Construction:

 * Each elementary student in the science buddy team will design and construct a paper airplane with help from their high school student partners.
 * Students should decorate and name their airplanes using colored pencils and crayons.
 * High school students will have paper airplane templates to help guide their elementary students toward airplane construction. They should encourage each student to have a different design.

Challenges:

 * Can be completed in any order


 * Distance Challenge:**
 * Use masking tape to create a starting line.
 * 1 elementary student stands behind the starting line.
 * High school students give a verbal command for the student to throw their airplane.
 * Elementary student, with the help of the high school students, measures from the starting line to where the airplane comes to rest in centimeters
 * Elementary student records their measurement on the recording sheet
 * Repeat for each student
 * After each student records their measurement, a high school student will add a large paper clip to the nose of their airplane
 * Then repeat the challenge with the added weight and record the results


 * Air Time Challenge:**
 * High school student gives a verbal command for an elementary student to throw their paper airplane. Begins stopwatch at the same time.
 * When the airplane hits the ground, the high school student will stop the time on the stopwatch.
 * High school students will help the elementary students record the airtime on their recording sheet.
 * Repeat for each student
 * After each student records their measurement, a high school student will add a large paper clip to the nose of their airplane
 * Then repeat the challenge with the added weight and record the results


 * Hula-Hoop- Landing Accuracy**
 * High school student places hula-hoop 5-10 feet from a starting line (masking tape).
 * Elementary student stands behind the starting line and throws their airplane toward the hoop, trying to land it inside the hoop.
 * The elementary student will then circle “yes or no” on their record sheet in regards to whether or not they hit the target.
 * Repeat for each student
 * After each student records their results, a high school student will add a large paper clip to the nose of their airplane
 * Then repeat the challenge with the added weight and record the results.


 * Hula-Hoop- Flying Straight:**
 * High school student should stand about 5 feet from the starting line and hold hula-hoops (one in each hand, 4-5 feet apart) perpendicular to the ground.
 * Elementary student stands behind the starting line and throws their airplane toward the hoops, trying to have it pass through each hoop, as straight as possible.
 * The elementary student will then circle “yes or no” on their record sheet in regards to whether or not they got their airplane through the hoops
 * Repeat for each student
 * After each student records their results, a high school student will add a large paper clip to the nose of their airplane
 * Then repeat the challenge with the added weight and record the results.

Follow-Up Interview Questions:

 * High school students ask elementary students


 * 1) Did your airplane perform the same during each challenge?


 * 1) Why might have your airplane acted differently during each challenge?


 * 1) Did the paper clip make a difference? If so, explain how.


 * 1) Based on your results, which was your best challenge? What was your worst challenge?


 * 1) What is the most important thing you have learned from this activity?

Closure:

 * All science buddy groups will come together in one space to discuss their results.
 * Each elementary student will be given the opportunity to show their airplane and describe 1 of their results from the challenges.
 * High school teacher gives a brief discussion about how different designs create different results.

Science Standards:
3.1.4.E Recognize change in natural and physical systems. 3.2.4.C Recognize and use the elements of scientific inquiry to solve problems. 3.2.4.D Recognize and use the technological design process to solve problems. 3.4.4.C Observe and describe different types of force and motion.

Resources:
Word document with instructions: