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Materials Needed:

  • Single sheet paper
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Tape
  • Straw
  • Scissors
  • A LOT OF SPACE!

Directions:

Calling all future pilots! Looking at the image above, write down some hypotheses about whether this object (that we will learn to make) will fly or fall. A hypothesis is an educated guess on how the outcome will turn out. Learn about some fundamentals of flight here on Kanopy Kids. There are many ways to make paper airplanes and gliders. Explore other ways to make gliders on Novelist Plus. You can even perhaps test the speed. How high does it hover above ground? And, the size of the object can factor in too. Lastly, check out COSMOS for building all sorts of fun aviator projects.

Step 1: Using your pencil and ruler, measure and cut two strips of paper. The first one should measure 8.5” by 1”, and the second one should be cut to 4.25” by 1”.

Step 2: Tape the ends of each strip together to make two circles – one large and one small.

Step 3: Tape each circle to the ends of the straw (refer to the pictures above).

Step 4: Now, TEST it outside where you have plenty of space. Throw with full force in the air.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

  • What if you used different materials, such as cardstock or lightweight paper, to create the circles?
  • Would it matter if the straw was long or short?
  • Try substituting a wooden skewer as a replacement for the straw.
  • What if the circles were the same size?

Have fun!