Paper PlanesShaw STEM Lab 2015

HistoryPaper planes can be traced back to china,

approximately 2,000 years ago when the Chinese invented kites.

Japanese origami, which dates to the 12th century, developed the art form of folding paper into different shapes.

The word origami comes from the Japanese words “oru,” to fold, and “kami,” paper. In the late 1700s, hot air balloons were built partly out of paper.

Paper Planes TodayToday paper airplane construction is a popular

hobby. There are many ways to build airplanes. Traditionalists use only a sheet of paper while other cut, tape, or paste their airplanes together.

The Guinness Book of World Records even has multiple paper airplane categories including flight duration, distance and wingspan.

Paper Planes RecordsThe record for distance with a paper plane is

69.14 meters set in February 2012.

The record for duration of flight is 27.9 seconds! This was set in 2009.

The largest wingspan on a paper aircraft is 18.21 meters.

VocabularyDefine these words in your words (make sure

your definition is related to planes!)RudderFuselageAileronElevatorPropellerCockpitFlaps

How does paper fly?Paper planes are usually gliders. The wings on

the plane allow the plane to “sit” on air. The wings compress the air molecules underneath them.

This creates a higher pressure than the air above the wings. The air above the wings would then have a lower pressure. The wings then “rest” on the higher air pressure.

How do planes fly?Moving the rudders, ailerons, or flaps up or down can change the flight path of an airplane. For example, folding flaps on the wings down can result in a nosedive and folding the flaps up can point the airplane in an upward direction.

Engineers start with designing and testing several different models of an airplane before they can get the approval to build a real one. They often have to work under specific constraints or limits, including the purpose of the airplane. By testing different models of planes, the engineer can determine which one is best for distance, speed and other factors.

Creating Paper PlanesYou and your partner are to create two (2) different paper planes each. If you are not familiar with making paper planes, research different paper planes on the Internet. There are some links on the next slide. Please do not print any instructions. Do not waste paper! You and your partner are to only create two paper planes each!

Paper Plane Instructionshttp://www.funpaperairplanes.com

http://www.foldnfly.com

http://www.paperaeroplanes.com

Saving Your PlaneAfter you and your partner have made two (2) planes

each, make sure your names are on them and place them on the wire rack until we test them as a class.1st Period: Black2nd Period: Purple3rd Period: Green4th/5th Periods: Blue6th Period: Pink

Time to Fly!We will test your paper planes as a class! In

your Word document create a table that is 4 X 6.Click Insert then Table at the top of WordYour table should look like the one below

Flight Distances (meters)

Flight Time (Seconds)

Speed (Distance

/Time)

Paper Plane 1

Paper Plane 2

Paper Plane 3

Paper Plane 4

Average

Pictures of Your WorkYou and your partner are required for at least four (4)

pictures with descriptions. Two (2) pictures should be of you testing your paper

planes.Two (2) pictures should be print screens of where you got

the ideas for folding your paper planes.

Questions & ResearchRewrite and answer the following questions

How far back can we trace paper planes and from where?

Where did the word “origami” come from?Describe how a paper plane flies.How big is the largest paper plane?What three (3) things on a plane change the

direction it flies?Click the picture and watch the

video. Formulate at least three (3) sentences of things you learned.

Double Check Your WorkDo you have everything?

Objective and Daily JournalPerson of InterestQuestions/Research and Answers

Vocabulary wordsFour (4) pictures with descriptions