Metricopter (Tove)

Author(s)

Tove Aitchison, Robert Frost Middle School

NGSS Engineering Standards

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

Study the design.
Note the metric measurements used in the design. Also note that the design is not built full size.
Construct the metricopter using the dimensions given.
Cut out a rectangle 22 cm long and 5 cm wide.
Mark all of the dimensions, dashed lines and solid lines listed in the design on your metricopter.
Cut along all solid line
Fold on all dashed lines.
1. Fold section A forward
2. Fold section B backward
3. Fold section C toward section D
4. Fold section D toward section C
5. Fold the metricopter up at line E (line E will not be visible once you have done this)
6. Test your metricopter
Now that you have built your first metricopter, it's time to optimize your design. Think about the following questions: How can you improve the flying ability of your metricopter? Can you make a metricopter that stays in the air longer? Can you make a metricopter with a smoother flight?

Does the length of the wings affect how long it stays in the air?
Does the mass of the paper affect the length of flight? In other words, if I make my metricopter out of 20, or 65 lb paper will it stay in the air for a longer period of time?
If I attach weights to the wings, will the flight change?
What happens to the flight if the overall dimensions aren't accurate?
How would the flight be impacted by non-crisp folds?

The photo below shows 2 metricopters to scale, and one that is made not to scale.

Photos of real-life application of engineering Concepts

Here is a video that I made of me dropping two metricopters.

One is made from bond paper and the other is made from heavier construction paper.