March 8th PD - Inquiry Lesson and Engineering Design Challenge 

Define: 
The Problem: Use both scientific investigations and the engineering design process to create a paper 
airplane that has the longest air hang time and distance traveled.  
 
Identify:  
Constraints:  Criteria for Success: 

Final airplane prototype must be made out of paper   

using the provided supplies and during this session.  

 
Brainstorm:  
What variables will help improve the length of air hang time and distance of flight?  
 

Variables we will test as a group:  

 
Variable Investigation 
 
 
Group: _____________________ Variable Tested: ________________________ 

Trial:   Distance traveled in meters  Average distance traveled in meters for all 
trials =  
1.   

2.    

3.   
 
 
Select:  
 What is the most promising paper airplane design? Explain why you choose those that design.  

Claim: What do you know? - answers the question 

Evidence: How do you know that? - supported by data 

Reasoning: Why does your evidence support your claim? - May i​ nclude a scientific principle.  

 
 
P
​ rototype: ​Design = _______________, Material = ________________, and Size = ________________:  

Test: 

Trial:   Distance traveled in meters  Average distance traveled in meters for all 
trials =  
1.   

2.    

3.   
 
Iterate: ​Reflect on your prototypes performance. If necessary make design changes and retest. Until desired results 
are achieved.