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Paper Plane Launcher explores aerospace engineering in activities designed to develop skills in cardboard construction. Pupils will gain an understanding of kinetic and potential energy and develop slotted cardboard construction skills through practical, guided activities. They will get the opportunity to use these skills in tinker time where they will be challenged to design, make and test their own paper place launcher.
EXPLORATION
EXPLORATION
Pupils explore catapult launchers and the concepts of potential and kinetic energy using video clips and simple experiments.
SKILL BUILDER
SKILL BUILDER
Pupils use step by step instructions to develop their skills of slotted carboard construction and paper plane making.
TINKER TIME
TINKER TIME
Pupils design, build and test a paper plane launcher using their newly acquired attachment skills and knowledge.
MEET AN ENGINEER
MEET AN ENGINEER
Felix - Aerospace Engineer
Felix - Aerospace Engineer
This project has been inspired by Felix, an Aerospace Engineer.
To help children better understand what engineering is and what engineers do, it is important that they have the opportunity to meet one (even virtually!)
Use this video to introduce a real engineer to your class.
FELIX.pdf
1. Catapult Launchers
(approx 15 mins)1. Catapult Launchers
Slide 1
Slide 1
Watch the first 50 second clip from 1952 showing the new catapult test for launching aircraft. It demonstrates the launch of a dead weight, a pilotless plane and then piloted jets.
Discuss the questions on the slide (suggestions can be found in the speaker notes)
Slide 2
Slide 2
Watch the second 2.40 minute clip of an aircraft launch test in 2018.
Discuss the questions on the slide (suggestions can be found in the speaker notes)
Plane Catapult
Plane Catapult
EXPLORATION: Show pupils the first 50 second clip from 1952 showing the new catapult test for launching aircraft.
Aircraft Launch
Aircraft Launch
EXPLORATION: Watch this short video and compare a modern day plane launch.
2. Elastic Band Energy
(approx. 0.5 - 1 hour)2. Elastic Band Energy
The digital resource 'Snappy Science' article explores the physics around using the elastic band in this project.
It contains a fun exploration activity to do with your pupils too. It covers the scientific concepts of potential energy and kinetic energy.
Elastic bands
Rulers
- Slotted cardboard construction
(approx. 1 hr)
Take a look at the 'slotted cardboard' google slide all about using the slot technique to join cardboard. There are 2 activities.
This is a key skill when working with cardboard and helps makers realise there are more ways to attach card than just reaching for the glue gun. This technique can be used to construct a number of things, including simple construction toys and model animals.
This skill builder activity will help with the TINKER TIME challenge later, where pupils will construct a paper plane launcher using slotted cardboard construction techniques.
Types of Cardboard
Explore the different types of cardboard you can use in your makerspace or classroom.
Tools
Explore the different types of tools used for cardboard when creating in your makerspace or classroom.
Strength
Explore attachment techniques and ways to strengthen cardboard models in your makerspace or classroom
Movement
Explore attachment techniques with movement for cardboard models in your makerspace or classroom
Cardboard Slots
Cardboard Slots
Check out this video showing how to use slots to create a simple construction set.
skill builder- slot construction.pdfCardboard Slot Building
Cardboard Slot Building
A pdf activity to learn how to attach cardboard using slots.
Begin the cycle again by looking closely and asking, "how could the design be improved?" Use this iterative approach to support problem solving and build resilience.
2. Paper aeroplane design
2. Paper aeroplane design
(approx. 1 hr)
Use the Maker{Cycle} and the other resources below to help make the best paper plane!
LOOK - At a range of different paper aeroplane designs, either ones you have made or ones you have asked pupils to make using different designs and materials (see the instructables resource for inspiration)
THINK - What do they have in common? Which designs look like they might be the most successful and why? What paper has been used? How has it been folded? (perhaps use the world record airplane resource from the resource library)
MAKE - ask pupils to make their own paper aeroplane and compare them
TEST - Which worked the best? What has helped it to fly highest or furthest?
Cardboard cutters
Cardboard
scissors
Paper
Maker{Cycle} Design
Maker{Cycle} Design
Use the Maker{Cycle} to improve your paper plane design.
Record Breaking Paper Plane
Record Breaking Paper Plane
Check out this short video about the record breaking paper plane and instructions to make your own!
Watch this clip to find out how you can be an engineer volunteer!
Watch this clip to find out how you can be an engineer volunteer!
Be an Engineer Volunteer!
Be an Engineer Volunteer!
Felix has been given an exciting engineering challenge.
But he is stuck and needs some assistance. Can you help?
Design & Make a Paper Plane Launcher
(1 - 2 hours)Design & Make a Paper Plane Launcher
Tinker time activities are child lead activities aimed to deepen thinking, skills and knowledge gained through the exploration and skill builder activities (together with existing knowledge and skills). The idea is to give children little or no instruction, but let them make their own decisions to create their own design solutions. The learning objective focuses on effectively using the iterative Maker{Cycle} process rather than on the finished product. Children should aim to create several iterations by rapid prototyping their ideas in draft form and test early on in the process. This allows lots of time to see what works and what doesn't. Children will need reminding to test their prototypes along the way.
Project brief:
Project brief:
In groups, design, make, and test a paper plane launcher using slotted cardboard attachment techniques and a rubber band. [See digital resource 'Maker{Cycle} presentation' to structure pupil thinking during the project]
Try letting pupils design and build their own ideas. That way the class should end up with different approaches. If groups are really struggling to make a start, show them the design inspiration video - Make a Paper Plane Launcher.
Cardboard cutters (lightly serrated table knives also work well)
Paperclips
Elastic bands
Tape
Low melt glue gun and sticks (optional/if required)
Cardboard
Paper
Scissors
Felt pens to decorate
Stapler
Ruler
Glue
Collaboration or Competition?
Collaboration or Competition?
The maker ethos focuses on collaboration and sharing rather than competition. If you want to run this with a competitive element, ensure the emphasis is on rewarding the design process as well as outcomes.
OR
The aim could be to get the best boat possible as a class by selecting the best features of each group's work. Here, effective collaboration skills could be rewarded as part of the project.
What else could you build a launcher out of?
What else could you build a launcher out of?
What materials would work well and why?
What materials would work well and why?
Risk Assessment
Risk Assessment
RA Paper Plane Launcher.pdfUse this risk assessment to support your planning and delivery of the Paper Plane Launcher project
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