This week, the children became engineers in DT as they investigated what makes a structure strong and stable. We began by recapping our learning about the history of flight from Spring 1 and comparing different types of aircraft, including monoplanes and biplanes. The children discussed how the design of a structure can affect how well it performs. This also links closely to our current science unit on the properties and suitability of material for objects. It is always exciting when we can link our understanding in a cross-curricular way.
The children then designed and made their own paper aeroplanes, thinking carefully about the folds, wing shapes, and overall structure. They explored how different features might help a plane fly further and tested their ideas by launching their planes in the school hall.
Finally, we measured and compared how far the planes travelled. The children observed which designs were the most successful and discussed the features that helped them glide further. It was a fantastic hands-on lesson that encouraged creativity, problem-solving, and scientific thinking.
Things to try at home:
- Make different types of paper aeroplanes and see which design flies the furthest.
- Experiment with changing the wing shape or size and predict how it will affect the flight.
- Hold a family paper plane competition and measure the distance each plane travels using a tape measure.