Paper Plane Launcher

Aerospace Engineering

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

Pupils explore catapult launchers and the concepts of potential and kinetic energy using video clips and simple experiments.

SKILL BUILDER

Pupils use step by step instructions to develop their skills of slotted carboard construction and paper plane making.

TINKER TIME

Pupils design, build and test a paper plane launcher using their newly acquired attachment skills and knowledge.

MEET AN 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)

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

  • 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)

catapult launcher exploration

Plane Catapult

EXPLORATION: Show pupils the first 50 second clip from 1952 showing the new catapult test for launching aircraft.

Aircraft Launch

EXPLORATION: Watch this short video and compare a modern day plane launch.

2. Elastic Band Energy

(approx. 0.5 - 1 hour)

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.

Resources from School

  • Elastic bands

  • Rulers

slotted cardboard skill builder

Organisation


You could just choose 1 of the activities to do
You could let pupils choose which activity they would prefer
You could let pupils have a go at both activities

  1. 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.

Cardboard Slots

Check out this video showing how to use slots to create a simple construction set.

skill builder- slot construction.pdf

Cardboard Slot Building

A pdf activity to learn how to attach cardboard using slots.

Slot Sculptures

Need some design inspiration for slot models? Take a look at this Pinterest page.

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

(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?

Resources from Maker{Kit}

  • Cardboard cutters

Resources from School

  • Cardboard

  • scissors

  • Paper

Maker{Cycle} Design

Use the Maker{Cycle} to improve your paper plane design.

Record Breaking Paper Plane

Check out this short video about the record breaking paper plane and instructions to make your own!

Making Paper Planes

Check out these Instructables on how to make a variety of paper planes.

Watch this clip to find out how you can 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)

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.

Maker cycle paper plane launcher

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.

Resources from Maker{Kit}

  • Cardboard cutters (lightly serrated table knives also work well)

  • Paperclips

  • Elastic bands

  • Tape

  • Low melt glue gun and sticks (optional/if required)

Resources from School

  • Cardboard

  • Paper

  • Scissors

  • Felt pens to decorate

  • Stapler

  • Ruler

  • Glue

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.

Extension activity:

What else could you build a launcher out of?

Feeling stuck, overwhelmed or just have a question?

We understand that there are elements of these projects that may be new to you or that you feel unsure about having a go at. If there are things you are unsure about or want to ask questions, please email Alison Buxton alison.buxton@sheffield.ac.uk so we can support you.

Don't forget to take lots of photos and videos for your show reel to show at our celebration event.

When you have completed your projects - please submit your teacher and pupil feedback forms.

Have fun!

Risk Assessment

RA Paper Plane Launcher.pdf

Use this risk assessment to support your planning and delivery of the Paper Plane Launcher project