Flight School: Paper Airplane Design

Lui Villa

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Flight School: Paper Airplane Design

Explore principles of flight

In this lesson, students will explore the principles of flight by designing and testing different paper airplane models. They will learn about aerodynamics and experiment with various designs to understand how different factors affect flight. This lesson is important as it encourages creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among students while introducing them to basic scientific concepts.

Audience

2nd and 3rd Grade Students

Time

1.5 hours

Approach

Explore principles of flight

Materials

Paper, Scissors, Tape, Rulers, Markers, Worksheet: Paper Airplane Design, and Discussion: Principles of Flight

Step 1

Introduction to Aerodynamics

15 mins

Begin with a brief discussion on what makes things fly.
Introduce basic concepts of aerodynamics: lift, thrust, drag, and gravity.
Use simple language and examples to explain each concept.

Step 2

Designing Paper Airplanes

20 mins

Provide students with paper, scissors, tape, and markers.
Encourage them to design their own paper airplanes using the materials.
Allow creativity but guide them to consider the aerodynamic principles discussed.

Step 3

Testing and Iteration

30 mins

Have students test their paper airplanes by flying them in a designated area.
Encourage them to observe how their designs perform and make adjustments.
Allow time for multiple iterations and testing.

Step 4

Reflection and Discussion

15 mins

Gather students to discuss what they learned about flight and design.
Use the discussion questions to guide the conversation.
Encourage students to share their experiences and what changes they made to improve their designs.

Step 5

Closure

10 mins

Summarize key concepts learned during the lesson.
Highlight the importance of experimentation and learning from mistakes.
Thank students for their participation and creativity.

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Worksheet

Paper Airplane Design Worksheet

This worksheet will guide students through the process of designing their paper airplanes, encouraging them to think about the principles of aerodynamics.

Draw your paper airplane design and label its parts.

Think about the wings, body, and any special features.

What changes did you make to your design after testing?

Consider what worked well and what didn't.

Discussion

Principles of Flight Discussion

A discussion to help students reflect on the principles of flight and their application in designing paper airplanes.

What did you learn about how airplanes fly?

Encourage students to mention lift, thrust, drag, and gravity.

How did your airplane design change after testing?

Discuss the importance of iteration and learning from mistakes.

What was the most challenging part of designing your airplane?

Guide students to think about problem-solving and creativity.