The Brown Bag STEM Challenge- Paper Helicopters

For this week's project, we're going to design paper helicopters!  At first glance, this project is simple, but, upon closer inspection, its rather deceptive as there are a lot of variables for students to manipulate and experiment with.

Using only some basic supplies, students will work in teams to produce a paper helicopter, based on an initial basic design, that will stay aloft the longest.  Older students can do this project solo, but to enhance the collaborative element, students are encouraged to work in a team, with each student designing his own helicopter.

Materials:

• Paper (the more different kinds, the better; vary them in thickness/weight)
• Scissors
• Paperclips (again, the more different sizes and weights, the better)
• Rulers
• Stopwatches
• Pencils
• Measuring tape (seamstress tape works best)

Aside from using these materials, students will need a way to safely release their helicopters.  Students generally want to stand on chairs, tables, etc to obtain a high drop height, so set the test-height for something that all students can reach without standing on anything, generally between 3-5 feet depending on the height of your students.  Students can tape the measuring tape to a wall, cabinet, etc. to easily and accurately measure their drop height.  Students can then take turns dropping their helicopters while other students time the drop.  Timed trials can be recorded in a simple table for analysis.

Once students have experimented with some basic designs, they can design their own.  Teams can modify the dimensions of the helicopter as well as the weight of the paperclip(s) and paper.

So, what did we learn? National Science Standards: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry, understanding about scientific inquiry, properties of objects and materials , position and motion of objects, motions and forces, abilities of technological design, understanding science and technology.  NCTM Standards:  Apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas to determine measurements, Formulate questions that can be addressed with data and collect, organize, and display relevant data to answer them, build new mathematical knowledge through problem solving, Solve problems that arise in mathematics and other contexts, Apply and adapt a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems, monitor and reflect on the process of mathematical problem solving. Other Skills: Communication, critical thinking, observation, collaboration, data and recording.