Our fifth graders began the year with an exploration of physics and aerodynamics as they built and tested paper airplanes. Throughout this mini-unit, students collaborated with their peers to test different paper airplane designs and apply parts of the engineering design process and scientific method.
After our first, unstructured build, we tested our designs.
Students were offered extra distance if they injected the arts into their plane launch with a song, dance, poem, or cheer. Quite entertaining!
We realized that we could not draw a valid conclusion, because there were just too many variables in our design and in our testing methods. These charts show how students identified variables that may have affected our results. Excellent critical thinking!
We went back to conduct more research on the physics of flight and paper airplane design. Students explored print, video, and on-line resources together.
During our second build, we controlled the type and size of our paper. Each team folded a different design from Fun with Paper Airplanes, an on-line resource we found during our research.
For our final test, we controlled variables by using identical paper airplane launchers made out of wood and nails. Each team completed three trials, and found the average distance their plane flew so that we could support our conclusions with specific data.
Fifth graders, can you comment and tell us which design was the most effective? Be sure to support your claim with specific data.
Why do you think that this design was most effective? Do the results connect to your research in any way?
Note: Mrs. Zagurski’s fifth graders will be beginning their paper airplane unit the first week of October. Look for their photos later!
The bullet was the most effective airplane. It went over 800 centimeters! It was a very skinny plane, and I think that helped it go far.
Great job including specific data, Laura! Sharing clear evidence always makes scientific communication more complete. 🙂
Although I am in Mrs. Zagurski’s class, I know that the bullet was the most efficiant design.
Thank you for commenting, Victoria. How do you know that the Bullet was the most effective design? Did you have any evidence?
Although I am in Mrs. Zagurski ‘s class the bullet was the most efficient airplane.
I am in Mr.Paul’s science class and the most effective is the airplane was called the bullet. We looked at all of the means and then determand the airplane was most effective. At first we tryed to build a airplame and then we tested them . So then we had to make vairables for the next test.
I had a lot of fun making the paper airplane even though mine was not successful I enjoyed watching them fly.
I love your positive attitude, Connor! That’s what learning is all about. 🙂
The bullet went the farthest because it had the smallest nose and so the bullet would go the farthest.
Thanks for commenting, Lila. Why is it that a plane with a small nose would travel the farthest? Can you connect this to what we learned about the forces that act on a plane?
I think that learning about butterflys in 1st grade is good because it is a great future referance for 3rd,4th,and 5th grade.
The Bullet flew the farthest,and it was the most efficient design. Here’s some reasons:
~ The bullet had a lot of thrust.
~ It Could’ve had elevators cut in it.
~Elevators help with thrust.
Great science ideas, Soma! Can you explain what “thrust” and “elevators” are so that students who did not read the same research as you can understand?
Please reply to this comment with additional information.
Thank you for helping us all learn!
We thought that the Delta or the Classic Dart would go the farthest but the Bullet flew the farthest instead. The Bullet out flew all of the other planes that were tested. It was a surprise for us. The Bullet was skinny and strait. The whole process is really fun.
We had a good time creating and testing our paper airplanes. We just wanted to thank you for hosting the project and setting it up for all of us. 🙂
You are more than welcome, Cole and James. I had fun too!
The bullet went the farthest because it was the most aerodynamic plane. The reason it was aerodynamic was because of it’s nose.
I think when we flew / tested the airplanes for distance was a good reference for students later in the years. It was also a lot of fun! 😊
I think the chart we made for the airplanes will be a good resource for 4rth graders next year! It also fun launching and measuring the airplanes distance! 😊
We want to say when we flew the planes we had so much fun. I (Lydia) knew I would be in 2nd or 3rd place but I had so much fun flying it! Some times on the blog everyone see my picture with me, Madison, Sierra, Will, and Edson flying our plane. Thank you Mrs. Austen!
I (Isabella) had fun flying our plane,I was exited when we did are test I was confident that we would win.
You are more than welcome, Lydia. I love sharing photos of our students so engaged and excited by a lesson. 🙂