Sci-box_Up, up and away

			Up, up and away!


		What is the best design for a paper aeroplane?

		Be careful if you decide to use scissors or other cutting equipment. Carry out your tests in a safe place - away from roads or other hazards.

PLAN	You will need to do some research to find several different designs for paper aeroplanes. You might want to try out some of the designs before you begin the investigation properly. What tests will you use to judge the "best" design?			I WILL NEED	Paper. Measuring equipment.
				I MAY NEED	Scissors. Sticky tape or glue. A stopwatch.
				FAIR TEST	To make sure this is a "fair test" you should make some simple guidelines about acceptable designs - and then stick to the "rules".

	PREDICTION	Which of the designs do you think will fly furthest? Why do you think so? Which will stay in the air longest? Why do you think so? Which design looks heaviest? Which looks lightest? How will this affect their flying?

PRACTICAL ACTIVITY	How did you choose which designs to use? How did you make the planes? Did you encounter any problems? What did you do to overcome these? How did you test the designs? What data did you collect?			COLLECT DATA	You may wish to record: longest flight (metres) longest flight (seconds) fastest flight (more difficult) "loop the loops" (count) Devise a simple system. Record clearly and neatly.
				ANALYSE DATA	You could give points for different factors - such as: longest flight fastest flight best acrobatics easy to make amount of paper used appearance
				PRESENT FINDINGS	Explain clearly what you did. You could video part of your investigation. You could take some photographs - of the planes and of the tests. You could display the different designs (both "step-by-step" and finished planes). You could show your results in a points table.

	EVALUATE INVESTIGATION	If someone else was going to carry out this investigation, what tips or advice would you give them?

	If you have carried out this investigation, click the icon to send in your results to Brainboxx and we may publish your work on the website. It is best to e-mail the results of your investigation or you may need to send them by post. Make sure you get permission from a teacher, parent or other adult before you get in touch.
	Designs	Omniwing	Best ever?	More designs	Simulator