Aerofoils and paper planes
In this activity, students learn how to make an aerofoil and to make and fly paper planes. In the process, they learn about aerofoil wing shape (found on planes and birds) and experiment with flying paper planes using angle of attack and nose weight.
Taking wing
Planes and birds are both affected by the same forces in flight. They have to be able to provide enough lift force to oppose the weight force.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
understand what an aerofoil is and how it works
have some understanding of angle of attack
have some understanding of the effects of wing shape and size, angle of attack and nose weight on flight (using paper planes).
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do
student worksheets.
Related content
Explore some of the key science ideas and concepts behind flight in:
See how these relate to hang-gliders and Gliders and kites.
Activity ideas
Making a glider – handcraft a glider from balsa wood and in the process learn about aerofoil wing shape, glider parts and terminology. Then experiment with flight using variables of wind and nose weight.
Investigating airflow over shapes – investigate the aerodynamics of various shapes and observe airflow over different shapes to find out which shape is likely to produce the least aerodynamic drag.
Useful links
These YouTube videos explain how to make and fly various paper planes:
Of course, you'll need a good throwing technique to get the best distance!
