Paper Aeroplane

Sections

Challenge Areas

Scout Method Elements

SPICES Growth Areas

The Adventure

Paper airplanes come in all shapes and sizes. Some paper airplanes fly very straight, while others curve or do loop-the-loops. And, like real planes, some can carry more cargo than others. Put your design skills to the test to build the paper airplane of your dreams.

Plan

• What do you know about the parts of an airplane?
• How does an airplane work?
• What do you know about building paper airplanes?
• What do you want your paper airplane to do?
• Do you want your plane to fly straight or do tricks?
• Fly the farthest or carry the most cargo?
• How will you know which plane flew the farthest?
• How will you measure which plane could carry the most cargo?
• What design will you create and build?

Materials

• Paper – different types and sizes
• Scissors
• Tape
• Coins

Online resources

• STEM Paper Airplane Challenge
• Paper Airplane Designs
• How do Airplanes Fly?

Do

• Design, fold and test your paper airplane
• Test how far your airplane can fly, and how straight it flies
• Next, test how much cargo your plane can carry over a set distance
• If you fly outside, is there any difference if you launch with the wind to you face or at your back?

Review

• What do you know now that you did not know before?
• Which planes flew the farthest? Why?
• What made a plane fly straight? What made a plane curve to the left or right?
• Which planes could carry the most cargo?
• What made one plane stronger than another?
• What elements of STEM were in this adventure? Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics?
• What did you like about this adventure? What did you not like? What would you do differently?

Safety

• What safety concerns will you need to consider as you make the paper airplanes?
• How will you work with other Cubs to have a fun and safe time?