MSU Extension 4-H

What you need to know:

Engineering is a process used to solve problems by designing, building and testing things. An engineer is a person who uses math and science to create new things, solve problems or make things better. Aerodynamics is the way air moves around things. When an airplane is flying, aerodynamics is an important factor in keeping a plane in the air. When an airplane is flying, several forces act on a plane including gravity and thrust. Gravity is the force that pushes things down toward the earth, as when you throw a ball up into the air and it falls back to the ground. Thrust is force that pushes forward. Examples of thrust include the force of an engine on an airplane or the act of throwing a paper airplane forward. Engineers design airplanes, cars and other machines to move quickly and efficiently taking into consideration aerodynamics, gravity and thrust.

What you will do and learn:

In this activity, you will make a paper airplane. The goal of this activity is to design your airplane to see if you can make one that goes the farthest. You will also explore the role that aerodynamics, thrust and gravity can play in how far it will fly.