A lesson about paper planes

This design intends to leave a lot of flexibility for the teacher, such that there is room for variation in format and content. The slides include a simple plane that people will be familiar with, and a more intricate one in a video.

Downloading

You could download a zip file with all of the files: https://git.mohit.uk/?p=paper-planes.git;a=blob;f=paper-planes.zip.

Or, the files, and download the ones that you need from the tree view (https://git.mohit.uk/?p=paper-planes.git;a=tree).

Usage

The important files are

presentation.pdf    A PDF of the presentation (prefered)
presentation.pptx   A PowerPoint of the presentation

All versions of the presentation are identical in content.

A good idea may be not to stick to the presentation, but to use it as a guide for a more freeform lesson that discussed paper planes, involves the activity of making and throwing them, and also involves open thought about the concepts behind them.

There are two videos. The one showing how to fold the John Collins aircraft is rather good.

Talking points

• Weight and gravity
• Acceleration/deceleration
• Surface area
• Lift and aerodynamics
• SUVAT/Projectile motion