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This lesson takes place in a classroom for approximately 90 minutes or can be divided into multiple sessions if needed).
Students may work in small groups of 2-4.
An emphasis on the target creation of paper airplanes.
Creative solutions should be encouraged.
Facilitate student reflection on what they learned about planes and how aerodynamics work.

List of Materials:

Sheets of Plain Paper
Rulers
Markers
Scissors
Tape
Stopwatch or Timer
A clean open space (e.g., a classroom or gymnasium)
Resource: Paper Airplane Designs

Notes for Teachers

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Standards

This lesson implements standards for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Science (S):

5.P3U1.4 Obtain, analyze, and communicate evidence of the effects that balanced and unbalanced forces have on the motion of objects.
5.P3U2.5 Define problems and design solutions pertaining to force and motion.
5.P4U1.6 Analyze and interpret data to determine how and where energy is transferred when objects move.

Technology (T):

Standard T5-8: Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems and the links among technologies, science, and society.

Engineering (E):

Standard 3-5-ETS1-2.: Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

Mathematics (M):

Standard M5P1: Construct and analyze graphs of real-world data to solve problems.
Standard M5P2: Solve real-world problems involving measurement, including conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit.
Standard M5P3: Use the concept of place value to perform arithmetic operations with multi-digit whole numbers.

Standards

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Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, students will understand the basic principles of aerodynamics and be able to design and construct paper airplanes that can fly effectively.

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Agenda

Agenda (90 minutes) - can be divided into multiple sessions if needed

Introduction (15 mins)
Aerodynamic Basics (15 mins)
Paper Plane Construction (30 mins)
Test Flights and Data Collection (20 mins)
Aerodynamic Modifications (10 mins)
Re-Test and Comparison (10 mins)
Conclusion and Discussion (10 mins)

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening (15 mins)

Begin by discussing what aerodynamics means and why it's important. Explain that aerodynamics is the study of how objects move through the air and the forces that affect their motion.
Show a simple paper airplane and ask the students if they have ever made one or seen one fly.
Share the lesson objective: to understand the principles of aerodynamics and create paper airplanes that can fly well.

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Aerodynamics Basics (15 mins)

Discuss key concepts:

Lift: The force that allows an airplane to stay in the air.
Drag: The resistance that opposes an airplane's forward motion.
Gravity: The force that pulls an airplane downward.
Thrust: The force that propels an airplane forward.

Use diagrams and simple examples to illustrate these concepts.

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Paper Plane Construction (30 mins)

Instruct students to follow these steps to make a basic paper airplane:

a. Take a sheet of paper and fold it in half lengthwise, then unfold it.

b. Fold the top edges down to meet at the center crease.

c. Fold the top triangle down so that it covers the folded edges.

d. Fold the plane in half along the original center crease.

e. Create wings by folding down the sides of the plane.

f. Make sure all edges are aligned and crease the folds well.

Have students decorate their planes with markers if desired.

Have students visit the Paper Plane Designs for more plane creations.

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Test Flights and Data Collection (20 mins)

Take the students to a clear open space.

Have each student take turns throwing their paper plane and measure the distance it travels.

Record the distances on a chart or board.

Discuss which planes flew the farthest and why.

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Aerodynamic Modifications (10 mins)

Discuss with students how they can modify their paper planes to make them fly better.

Encourage students to experiment with different designs, such as wing shape, wing size, and weight distribution.

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Re-Test and Comparison (10 mins)

Return to the open space and have students test their modified planes.

Record the new distances and compare them to the initial flights.

Discuss the improvements and what they learned about aerodynamics through their modifications.

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Conclusion and Discussion (10 mins)

Ask students what they learned about paper plane aerodynamics during the lesson.

Discuss how the principles of aerodynamics apply to real airplanes and other flying objects.

Encourage students to continue experimenting with paper planes at home.

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Assessment

Assessment can be based on student participation, engagement, and their ability to explain the principles of aerodynamics and make improvements to their paper planes.

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Differentiation

Begin by selecting a small group of struggling students (no more than 4-5) who need extra support in understanding aerodynamics concepts.

Provide each student with a blank sheet of paper and art supplies (colored pencils, markers, or crayons).

Explain to the students that they are going to create a storyboard that tells a visual story about the flight of a paper airplane.

Ask the students to divide their paper into several rectangular sections, like comic book panels. They can decide how many panels they want to use but aim for at least four.

In each panel, students should illustrate a specific stage of a paper airplane's flight. For example:

Panel 1: Show a student folding a piece of paper to create a paper airplane.
Panel 2: Illustrate the moment the student releases the paper airplane into the air.
Panel 3: Depict the paper airplane in flight, showing the forces of lift and gravity.
Panel 4: Show the landing of the paper airplane and its distance traveled.

Encourage students to include labels and short descriptions of the aerodynamics concepts at work in each panel. For example, in the panel depicting lift, they could write "Lift - The force that keeps the paper airplane in the air."

Allow the struggling students to work on their storyboards at their own pace, providing assistance and clarification as needed.

Once the storyboards are completed, have each student present their storyboard to the group or the whole class, explaining the aerodynamics concepts depicted in their story.

Encourage discussion and questions from the class during and after each presentation to reinforce understanding.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Explore the concept of balance and stability in paper airplane design.
Introduce students to different types of aircraft and their unique aerodynamic features.
Discuss careers in aviation and aerospace engineering as related to aerodynamics.