Read This Before You Dare

• to see the greatest distance a paper airplane can fly.
• to see how long it can stay aloft.

1. Have your students make the 2 separate airplanes (glider and dart) by following the patterns shown here. 
2. Click here for directions on how to fold the glider. 
3. Click here for a printable glider pattern. You must have Adobe Reader to read this file.  Click here for a link to download Adobe Reader.

 Click here for dart pattern.
4. Use standard 8.5 X 11 inch  photocopier paper to make each plane. Hand launch each plane by placing the launching hand parallel to the shoulder of the student launching the airplane and measure from the toes of the student launching the airplane to the nose of the airplane.
5. Airplanes must be launched indoors.  Make sure your launch area is free of obstructions.  Some areas that are particularly suited for successful  launches are long hallways, gymnasiums, and all-purpose rooms.  Click here for diagram of the correct way to launch your airplanes.  You may want to have your students practice their launching techniques before their actual launches.
6. Students should make five (5) launchings for each type of airplane. Click here for a chart students can use to record their flight information.
7. Measure the time aloft in minutes and seconds.  Use a stopwatch for  accuracy.
8. Measure all distances in meters and centimeters.

If you wish, you may send us pictures of your students' flights, stories, or airports/hangars.  We will make every attempt to post them on the web.

Flight results will be posted and updated for each grade level. All results must be received no later than February 28, 2002.  Click on your grade to see the current participants and results.
 

Grade 3                                  Grade 4                              Grade 5