testing+paper+airplanes

Testing Paper Airplanes

What is a variable? How do we test a variable? Our first formal project using the scientific process is the testing of paper airplanes using the Nakamura lock design. Students learn the value of making graphs by hand and on the computer. We write our first lab report that focuses on the variable being tested in the lab.






 * PROJECT Nakamura Lock Airplane Tests **

Students begin the year testing paper helicopters and paper airplanes to actively participate in the scientific process. The first graph and conclusion are written on Google docs and shared with the teacher.

Below is an example of a lab conclusion a student wrote for his lab report.

__Nakumaru Lock Conclusion__ If you add a paperclip the plane it will go faster.My control plane had an average of 4.97 m and my experimental (paper clip) has an average of 10.5 m. The experimental went further because the weight of the paper clip would of pulled it down faster and the lift would of made it go higher so it would go fast because of the weight and go farther because the lift is preventing it from landing. The thrust of when you throw it plus the paperclip will also make it go faster.The extra weight worked well. If I were to do the experiment again I would keep the paperclip on and also make the wings a bit bigger.The only problem is that each time I throw it the angle and power of the throw will be a little different every time and that will make a difference and also the wind is always blowing in different different directions. .

Below is an example of a graph a student made for his lab report.