Modelling Aeroplanes - Paper Place

Science and DT

We also developed skills relevant to art and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) in this project.

As part of our Taking Flight project, we researched, constructed, tested, measured, compared and adjusted/developed paper aeroplane designs.

We started with existing designs, following instructions in video and written/drawn form. Our differentiation came through the selection of design, with a wide range of complexity from simple darts to very complicated aircraft with many intricate folds. Our DT involved carefully studying designs, comparing them by looking in advance at how complicated the construction process was, then measuring, folding and cutting as precisely as we could. In most cases we made several attempts, with each attempt becoming more accurate. We reviewed and evaluated our work, improving in response to our evaluation.

We then tested our design or designs. Here we looked more at the science (physics) of flight and working scientifically. We chose how we would measure the success of our aircraft. This depended partly on the design of each place. We selected variables to observe and measure. Some of us measured time in flight. Some of us measured distance of flight. Some of use measured or observed straightness of flight or the ability to control the flight by making adjustments to the plane. Some of us compared angle of launch to the resulting flight. We made accurate and repeated observations and measurements. These were not necessarily 'fair tests' as there were too many variables to control. However, they were all at least 'comparative tests'.

We then used the information we had found to review our designs, comparing what each other had learned. We worked collaboratively to share and test out findings.

We adjusted the designs from the original examples, including what we had learned or thought we might have spotted. We applied hypotheses about how design affects function. We now had new plane designs of our own, influenced by what we had learned and original designs. We innovated design, adding and developing new features and combining features for a purpose.

This is the site we used for our initial designs.