Aviation -- Airplanes and Rockets

Cost – in Dollars (not counting basic lab supplies and technology equipment if
necessary):
$ -- 0-25
$$ -- 25-50
$$$ -- 50-100
$$$$ -- OVER 100

Objectives: Students will…

 Learn about the physics of flight.
 Use engineering and critical thinking skills to design a paper airplane and
bottle rocket.

Time Required: 2 – 45 to 60 min class periods

Materials (For class of 30 students working in groups of 2):

 Class set of computers or iPads with access to the Internet
 Aquapod bottle rocket launcher (Amazon)
 Set of paper airplane templates, 15 of at least 10 templates, a variety of
difficulties (see: https://www.foldnfly.com) or 10 computers or iPads that
connect to YouTube using the link given
The Center for Developing Excellence/STEAM Academy 1
  15 – 2-liter soda bottles
 Funnel
 2 - 3-gallon containers
 Supply of water
 Several sheets of thin cardboard
 3-4 rolls of different colored duct tape
 15 scissors
 15 sets of colored markers

Aquapod bottle rocket launcher (find on Amazon)

Procedure:
DAY 1 (Paper Airplanes)
 Divide the students into groups of 2.
 Give each group a computer or iPad
 Have each group open the following site on the Internet:
https://www.foldnfly.com/#/1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2
 Instruct the groups that they are going to select two templates that they are
going to use to construct two different paper airplanes.

Note: Advise the students that they should select one of the easier templates
and one of the more difficult ones. They can use the site, and the videos
provided, to help them construct their models.

The Center for Developing Excellence/STEAM Academy 2

  After the students have completed their paper airplanes, take them to an
open area to test which plane flies the farthest.

DAY 2 (Rockets)
PREP
 Watch the two videos below to get an understanding of how to use the
Aquapod water rocket launcher.
 Build an example of a bottle rocket to show to the students and practice
launching it using the Aquapod.

IN CLASS
 Show the PowerPoint: Principles of Rocketry
 Have the students form groups of 2.
 Pass out the following equipment to each group:
o 1 scissors
o Several sheets of cardboard
o 1-liter soda bottle
o Set of colored markers
o 1-meter of colored duct tape (students can choose color)
 Show the students the example of the rocket you built.
 Give the students time to construct their rocket.
 After the students have completed their rockets, take them outside to an
open area for launching.

Note: Bring several gallon bottles of water and a funnel outside with you to fill
the students’ bottles. Allow the students to determine the amount of water
that they want to put into their bottles.

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDFJ_pkzf7M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJDfAzV6h-M&t=28s

Assessment:
 Successful design of a paper airplanes and launch of a rocket

The Center for Developing Excellence/STEAM Academy 3