Description
This paper plane STEM challenge is an excellent engineering activity for middle school students to practice using the engineering design process. Students will engage in hands-on, project-based learning that enables them to make real world connections. As a teacher, you will love the low prep activity and detailed teacher guide including differentiation ideas and suggested responses.
In this 90 minute STEM Activity, students will work in groups to test and analyze existing paper plane designs before designing their own paper plane that can fly as far as possible.
Beginning with an engaging whole group activity discussing types of bridge designs and the real world forces that act upon airplanes, students will then split into groups of 3-6 people to work their way through the engineering process while attempting to build an effective paper plane. In the prototyping stage, students will practice taking multiple measurements to find the average distance their planes flew. Additionally there are worksheets provided to guide them through the Engineering Design Process to help them build their device while working as a team. At the end of the lesson, students will reflect on their experiences and optionally share with the class.
By the end of this lesson students will be able to:
→ Represent & communicate design ideas through drawing
→ Evaluate the effectiveness of an engineered product
→ Explore properties and construction relationships of an engineered product
→ Negotiate criteria for success
→ Demonstrate safe, cooperative & responsible work practices
→ Calculate the mean of 3 measured numbers
→ Interpret a calculated mean value
In this resource:
→ 13 page Teacher Guide with US Next Generation Science Standards & Australian Technologies curriculum alignment
→ 8 Differentiated Printable Student Worksheets following the Engineering Process
→ 2 Google Forms for digital student work following the Engineering Process
→ Editable Slide Deck with detailed student instructions, and questions from the engineering process worksheets. Provided in both Google Slides and PowerPoint formats.
→ Digital Ready Links Document with instructions for saving the Google apps elements and assigning them to your students.
→ Resource Package Labels with instructions for prepping ahead or sending home materials.
→ BONUS! Real World Connections research task for advanced learners, fast finishers or the whole class to extend their learning and create meaningful connections to the real world.
Be sure to leave feedback to earn credit toward future purchases & follow our store for more great STEM content!
Paper Plane STEM Activity using Engineering Design Process & Analyzing Means
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Description
This paper plane STEM challenge is an excellent engineering activity for middle school students to practice using the engineering design process. Students will engage in hands-on, project-based learning that enables them to make real world connections. As a teacher, you will love the low prep activity and detailed teacher guide including differentiation ideas and suggested responses.
In this 90 minute STEM Activity, students will work in groups to test and analyze existing paper plane designs before designing their own paper plane that can fly as far as possible.
Beginning with an engaging whole group activity discussing types of bridge designs and the real world forces that act upon airplanes, students will then split into groups of 3-6 people to work their way through the engineering process while attempting to build an effective paper plane. In the prototyping stage, students will practice taking multiple measurements to find the average distance their planes flew. Additionally there are worksheets provided to guide them through the Engineering Design Process to help them build their device while working as a team. At the end of the lesson, students will reflect on their experiences and optionally share with the class.
By the end of this lesson students will be able to:
→ Represent & communicate design ideas through drawing
→ Evaluate the effectiveness of an engineered product
→ Explore properties and construction relationships of an engineered product
→ Negotiate criteria for success
→ Demonstrate safe, cooperative & responsible work practices
→ Calculate the mean of 3 measured numbers
→ Interpret a calculated mean value
In this resource:
→ 13 page Teacher Guide with US Next Generation Science Standards & Australian Technologies curriculum alignment
→ 8 Differentiated Printable Student Worksheets following the Engineering Process
→ 2 Google Forms for digital student work following the Engineering Process
→ Editable Slide Deck with detailed student instructions, and questions from the engineering process worksheets. Provided in both Google Slides and PowerPoint formats.
→ Digital Ready Links Document with instructions for saving the Google apps elements and assigning them to your students.
→ Resource Package Labels with instructions for prepping ahead or sending home materials.
→ BONUS! Real World Connections research task for advanced learners, fast finishers or the whole class to extend their learning and create meaningful connections to the real world.
Be sure to leave feedback to earn credit toward future purchases & follow our store for more great STEM content!
