Experimath - Experiment 12

Syllabus links

Key Stage 2 (age 7 to 11)

Can you find which paper aeroplane flies the furthest?

This experiment gives children an opportunity to measure and record distances, and use means and ranges.

The child will learn how to make various types of paper plane.

some paper

a pen

Make paper aeroplanes using the three designs below (dashed lines are creases and arrows show the folding direction).

You may also create other aeroplanes following your own design.

Never throw paper planes at people or pets.

Make sure that your aeroplanes glide on a straight path. If a plane turns left or right, adjust the angle of its wings.

If a plane dives, angle the rear part of its wings a little upward.

If a plane climbs up and then crashes, bend the rear part of its wings downward.

Fly each plane five times and record their distances.

Which plane had the shortest flight?
Which plane had the longest flight?
Which plane has the lowest mean distance?
Which plane has the highest mean distance?
Find the range of the distances for each aeroplane.

Which plane is the most consistent?

The answer depends on the data gathered by the child.
The answer depends on the data gathered by the child.
Make sure that the child uses the formula Mean = Total Distance / 5.
Make sure that the child uses the formula Mean = Total Distance / 5.
Range = Longest distance – shortest distance. The plane with smallest/narrowest range is the most consistent.

Explore the web for more promising designs and tips on long distance paper aeroplane flying.

Compare their performance with your results on this experiment.

This is an opportunity to do some research.

It is important that the child understands the need to repeat each flight several times to get an accurate result.

Experiment 12 v4