Physics Activity - Paper airplanes and the effect of shape-design on performance

Link to Paper airplanes activity.
See the lesson at the Kakuma Refugee Camp, in Kenya.

With only paper, folding into a wide variety of paper airplane designs can set up a fun round of experiments and contests for students to enjoy, but also learn about the concept of design and aerodynamics. This can be done in conjunction with the air friction experiment, as it shows the effect shape and cross sectional area has on air friction and movement through the air. On the website, click on any design option and it will show frame by frame photos of the folding needed, or one can print out the design instructions to give to students. There are videos showing the folding, as well, if you have Internet access.

Experiments can be done where each student does a different design, and then you can test them for flying distance or time in the air. Students should keep measurements for all the designs, so they can all be compared to one another. But other factors or parameters can be included in these tests. For example, for the same design, try throwing them at different launch angles to see if that has an effect. Use something like paperclips to vary the weight of the airplane, and see if that changes anything about the flight. Instead of a full sheet of paper, make the same designs with only a half sheet, or some other fraction of a sheet of paper. Does the size and weight make a difference in flight results? This is all experimentation, and this is a process scientists and engineers would do when they are considering different designs of experiments or of actual airplanes.

However you choose to approach the activity, it is recommended that you have time at the end where you give students paper, and let them get creative - let them think of variations on what they just did, try their own design and test it, and then discuss with the class why they thought certain design features might work. It is a lot of fun to see what students come up with and why! Often they will come across and 'discover' on their own some relevant aerodynamic principles.

Have fun with the paper airplane activity.