Taking part in an engineering design process will help build your understanding and skills needed for future experiences that you will implement in your classroom.
Directions
It is time to consider the parameters for your own Paper Airplane Contest. In your team, discuss the following questions and record your thoughts on chart paper:
How will a winner be determined? Will it be based on distance ... time of flight … height obtained ... or something else?
What data (measurement) can contestants gather in order to prove that they have created the best paper airplane?
How will students record their evidence that their plane is the best?
How much data needs to be gathered in order to determine a winning design? An average of 5 attempts, 7 attempts, 10 attempts?
What materials are OK to use for the build?
What loopholes might students discover that can be addressed in criteria and constraints?
What specific contest rules might convey these criteria and constraints?
Brainstorm what criteria and constraints (contest rules) should be in place for your contest in order for students to know what they can and can’t do so that everyone has the same experience.
Record your final rules in a presentation tool, such as Google Slides or Smore.
Think about a fair test. Will your criteria and constraints allow for a fair test?
Add any additional rules to ensure that the contest will be a fair test.
Reflect/Put Into Practice
How might you use a tool like the Wordwall spinner in your classroom?