Paper Airplane Engineering: A Multidisciplinary Exploration
Created byBrady Maynes
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Paper Airplane Engineering: A Multidisciplinary Exploration

Grade 10MathScienceArtPhysicsGeography2 days
In this project, students in tenth grade will explore the multidisciplinary aspects of paper airplane engineering, integrating math, science, art, physics, and geography. They will investigate how different designs, mathematical principles, and weather conditions impact flight distance and accuracy. Through hands-on activities, students will design, test, and modify paper airplanes, applying their knowledge to optimize flight performance and aesthetics. The project culminates in a portfolio showcasing their designs, data analysis, and reflections on the principles of flight.
Paper AirplanesAerodynamicsPhysicsGeometryFlight DynamicsEngineering DesignWeather Conditions
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design and modify paper airplanes, using mathematical and physical principles, artistic elements, and geographical considerations, to optimize their flight distance and accuracy in varying weather conditions?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How do different paper airplane designs affect flight distance and accuracy?
  • What mathematical principles can be used to optimize paper airplane design?
  • How do geography and weather conditions affect flight?
  • How do the principles of physics apply to paper airplane flight?
  • How can art principles be used to enhance the design and aesthetics of paper airplanes?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Apply mathematical principles to optimize paper airplane design.
  • Investigate the impact of different paper airplane designs on flight distance and accuracy.
  • Explore the influence of geography and weather conditions on flight.
  • Apply physics principles to paper airplane flight.
  • Incorporate art principles to enhance the design and aesthetics of paper airplanes.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

The Paper Airplane Crash Investigation

The teacher stages a 'paper airplane crash site' in the classroom, complete with scattered plane debris and a simulated 'black box' recording hinting at design flaws. Students act as investigators, analyzing the wreckage to identify potential aerodynamic issues and brainstorm solutions for improved flight.

The Paper Airplane Material Challenge

Each student receives a different type of paper (various weights, textures, sizes) and must create a paper airplane. They then test each plane and record the data (distance, flight time, accuracy). This experiential activity introduces the concept of variables and the importance of controlled experiments.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Geometry in Flight

Students explore basic geometric shapes and their impact on airplane design. They will construct paper airplanes using different shapes (e.g., rectangular wings, triangular wings) and measure their flight performance.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research the basic geometric shapes (rectangle, triangle, trapezoid) and their properties.
2. Create three paper airplane designs, each incorporating a different geometric shape for the wings.
3. Fly each plane multiple times and record the flight distance and accuracy in a data table.
4. Calculate the average flight distance for each design.
5. Write a paragraph explaining how the geometric shapes influenced the flight performance of each plane.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA portfolio page with different paper airplane designs, each labeled with geometric properties and flight data.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Apply mathematical principles to optimize paper airplane design.
Activity 2

Design Dynamics

Students will systematically alter design elements of a paper airplane (wing size, fold types, fuselage width) and assess the impact on flight. This activity introduces experimental design and data analysis.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose a baseline paper airplane design.
2. Select three design elements to modify (e.g., wing size, fold type, fuselage width).
3. For each design element, create three variations.
4. Conduct controlled flight tests for each variation, recording flight distance and accuracy.
5. Analyze the data to determine the impact of each modification.
6. Write a conclusion summarizing the findings.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn experimental report detailing the design modifications, data collected, and conclusions about the impact of each modification on flight distance and accuracy.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Investigate the impact of different paper airplane designs on flight distance and accuracy.
Activity 3

Geography and Weather's Wing

Students investigate how geographical factors (altitude, wind direction) and weather conditions (temperature, humidity) affect paper airplane flight.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research how altitude, wind direction, temperature, and humidity can affect flight.
2. Conduct flight tests in different weather conditions (if possible) and at varying locations (e.g., indoor vs. outdoor).
3. Record weather data (temperature, wind speed, humidity) and flight data (distance, accuracy).
4. Analyze the data to identify correlations between weather/geography and flight performance.
5. Write a report summarizing the findings and explaining the observed effects.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA research report analyzing the effects of geography and weather on flight performance, supported by data from flight tests conducted in different conditions.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Explore the influence of geography and weather conditions on flight.
Activity 4

Physics of Flight

Students will analyze the forces acting on a paper airplane during flight (lift, drag, thrust, gravity) and explore how design modifications can optimize these forces.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research the four forces of flight: lift, drag, thrust, and gravity.
2. Create a paper airplane design that maximizes lift and minimizes drag.
3. Draw a free-body diagram illustrating the forces acting on the airplane during flight.
4. Conduct flight tests and observe how the airplane's design affects its flight path.
5. Prepare a presentation explaining the physics principles and how they relate to the airplane's design and performance.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation explaining the physics principles governing paper airplane flight, including diagrams illustrating the forces and design features that affect them.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Apply physics principles to paper airplane flight.
Activity 5

Artistic Aeronautics

Students will explore how art principles (color, balance, form) can be applied to paper airplane design to improve their visual appeal and potentially influence flight performance.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research art principles such as color theory, balance, and form.
2. Design paper airplanes incorporating different art principles.
3. Experiment with different color schemes, patterns, and shapes.
4. Conduct flight tests to see if the aesthetic design impacts performance.
5. Write a reflection on how art principles enhance the airplane's design and aesthetics.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collection of paper airplanes showcasing different art principles, along with a written reflection on how these principles enhance the airplane's design.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Incorporate art principles to enhance the design and aesthetics of paper airplanes.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Geometry in Flight Rubric

Category 1

Geometric Design and Analysis

Assessment of how students incorporate geometric principles into their paper airplane designs and analysis.
Criterion 1

Geometric Accuracy

Accuracy of geometric calculations and measurements.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates precise geometric calculations and measurements with no errors.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates accurate geometric calculations and measurements with minimal errors.

Developing
2 Points

Demonstrates some understanding of geometric calculations and measurements with noticeable errors.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with geometric calculations and measurements, resulting in significant errors.

Criterion 2

Geometric Application

Application of geometric principles in paper airplane designs.

Exemplary
4 Points

Applies geometric principles innovatively to create unique and effective paper airplane designs.

Proficient
3 Points

Applies geometric principles effectively to create functional paper airplane designs.

Developing
2 Points

Applies geometric principles inconsistently, resulting in limited functionality of paper airplane designs.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to apply geometric principles in paper airplane designs.

Criterion 3

Explanation Clarity

Clarity of explanation on how geometric shapes influence flight performance.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a comprehensive and insightful explanation of how geometric shapes influence the flight performance of each plane.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides a clear explanation of how geometric shapes influence the flight performance of each plane.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic explanation of how geometric shapes influence the flight performance of each plane, but lacks depth.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to explain how geometric shapes influence the flight performance of each plane.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

What was the most surprising thing you learned about the science behind paper airplanes?

Text
Required
Question 2

To what extent did the integration of different subjects (math, science, art, geography, physics) enhance your understanding of paper airplane design and flight?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which activity (Geometry in Flight, Design Dynamics, Geography and Weather's Wing, Physics of Flight, Artistic Aeronautics) was the most challenging for you, and why?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Geometry in Flight
Design Dynamics
Geography and Weather's Wing
Physics of Flight
Artistic Aeronautics
Question 4

How did your understanding of the relationship between design and performance evolve throughout this project?

Text
Required