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Paper-Airplane Choreography Company

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Grades 3-560-75 minSource: Creative Dad Company

Kids test different paper-airplane folds for distance, flight time, and turning ability, then choreograph a synchronized flight show where multiple planes launch together in a planned pattern. It's real aerodynamics data driving a genuinely fun performance.

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Prep: 10 minActivity: 45 min1 session~$2/groupOne table or a clear section of floorBeginner-friendly

Setup

Place common or recycled supplies for Paper-Airplane Choreography Company on one work surface and choose a safe area for the test. Read the four activity directions aloud; drawings, paper models, and household substitutes may replace specialized materials, and no digital tool is required.

Activity

  1. Fold a few different paper airplane designs and predict which will fly farthest, longest, or curve the most.
  2. Build and decorate the final chosen designs, then plan a launch formation and timing for the group performance.
  3. Test-fly the formation together, then redesign a fold or adjust the timing when planes collide or a design underperforms its earlier test.
  4. Perform the final synchronized flight show for an audience, sharing the flight data behind the choreography.

Done when: The group produces the Paper-Airplane Choreography Company solution, completes the described test, makes the revision called for by the evidence, and supports its final explanation with an observed or measured result.

Materials

printer paper, stopwatch, measuring tape, markers for decorating planes, painter's tape for launch marks

Shown for the Quick Start version — switch tabs above to see what changes.

Disclosure: Materials links below go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Steps

  1. Fold a few different paper airplane designs and predict which will fly farthest, longest, or curve the most.
  2. Build and decorate the final chosen designs, then plan a launch formation and timing for the group performance.
  3. Test-fly the formation together, then redesign a fold or adjust the timing when planes collide or a design underperforms its earlier test.
  4. Perform the final synchronized flight show for an audience, sharing the flight data behind the choreography.

Standards it satisfies

  • NGSS · 3-PS2-1

    Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.