Easy Scientific Method Experiment with Paper Airplanes

The scientific method is a big part of science education. It teaches students how to ask questions, investigate the world, and draw meaningful conclusions. 

However, bringing the scientific method to life in the classroom can sometimes feel challenging. Hands-on experiments, using materials and topics familiar to kids, can help make learning the steps more memorable and engaging.

One activity that your students will love is a paper airplane experiment. This engaging and inexpensive science experiment provides the perfect framework for guiding students through the steps of the scientific method while incorporating math, science, and critical thinking. 

This post will go through the steps of the scientific method and show you how a paper airplane experiment applies to each one.

Step 1: Ask a Question

The first step of the scientific method is to ask a question. The question should spark students’ curiosity and get them excited about continuing the scientific method to find the answer. With the paper airplane experiment, some examples of questions might be:

• Which paper airplane design flies the farthest?
• How does the type of paper used to make the plane affect its flight?
• How does adding paper clips to a paper airplane affect its flight?

Encourage students to think about the factors that could influence a plane’s flight, such as size, shape, weight, or the way it is constructed. This step sets the stage for a meaningful investigation, prompting students to explore variables and outcomes.

Step 2: Do Background Research

Before diving into the experiment, it’s important to gather some background information. Discuss with your class the forces that affect flight, such as lift, thrust, drag, and gravity. Introducing Bernoulli’s Principle and concepts like air resistance gives students foundational knowledge to better understand their results.

This step can also include watching videos or reading about real-world applications of flight, or paper airplane making videos.

Students could even share their personal experiences with making successful (and unsuccessful) paper airplanes and what they have learned through prior experiences.

Step 3: Construct a Hypothesis

A hypothesis is an educated guess that predicts the outcome of an experiment. This prediction is based on prior knowledge or observations, not just a random guess.

Guide students in crafting their hypotheses based on the question they’re exploring. For example:

• If I add more folds to my paper airplane, then it will fly farther because the folds make it more aerodynamic.
• If I use lighter weight paper, then it will fly a greater distance because it wont be dragged down by extra weight.
• If I add paper clips to the airplane’s wings, then it will fly shorter distances because the extra weight increases gravity’s pull.

Encourage students to use the “If…then…because…” structure to clarify their predictions.

Step 4: Test the Hypothesis with an Experiment

Now comes the fun part—conducting an experiment to test your hypothesis! For the paper airplane experiment, provide students with materials such as:

• Different types of paper (e.g., printer paper, construction paper).
• Paper clips or other small weights.
• Directions for folding/creating different styles of paper airplanes
• A measuring tape to record distances.
• A large, open space for flight tests.

Have students design and build their airplanes, ensuring they make consistent designs for accurate comparisons. They should change only one variable at a time while keeping all other variables constant.

So, if students are testing different paper airplane designs, all of the other variables (paper used, size of paper, weights, location planes are flown etc…) should remain the same.

Students then take turns flying their planes and measuring the distances traveled. They should conduct several trials to get a good representation of data.  Flying a paper airplane once, and using that one data point to draw conclusions could result in inaccurate data. Remind students to record their data carefully, as this will be crucial for the next steps.

Step 5: Analyze the Data

Once the data is collected, it’s time to analyze it. Provide students with graph paper to chart their results. They can create a line graph to display the distances each airplane design achieved.

Guide a discussion around the patterns they observe. Which design flew the farthest? Did the added weight affect the distance as predicted? Did the paper used to make the plane affect the distance it flew? Encourage students to compare their findings with their initial hypotheses, discussing whether their predictions were correct and why.

Step 6: Draw Conclusions

In this step, students summarize what they’ve learned. Have them write a brief conclusion answering the original question and explaining how the data supports or contradicts their hypothesis. For example:

• The airplane with fewer folds flew the farthest because it had less drag, which aligned with my hypothesis.
• Adding paper clips made the plane fly shorter distances, which was expected because the extra weight increased gravity’s pull.
• The airplane with larger wings flew the farthest because the large wings gave it more lift, which supports my hypothesis.

This step emphasizes critical thinking, helping students articulate their findings, draw conclusions from their data and reflect on the experiment process.

Step 7: Communicate Results

Science is all about sharing discoveries! Encourage students to present their findings to the class, whether through written reports, oral presentations, or visual displays. This step fosters communication skills and allows students to celebrate their work.

To take it further, you could compile all the results into a class chart and discuss trends as a group. Did similar designs lead to similar outcomes? What unexpected results emerged?

Why Use the Paper Airplane Experiment?

This experiment is not only engaging but also versatile. It aligns perfectly with key science standards and integrates math through measurement and graphing. It also provides opportunities for STEM learning, as students explore engineering concepts while designing their airplanes.

It is also an inexpensive experiment. The supplies needed to conduct this experiment are items that are commonly found in classrooms or at home, or can be obtained at a low cost.

The experiment’s simplicity makes it accessible, yet its potential for extension ensures that even advanced learners remain challenged.

Ready-to-Use Resources to Save Time

If you’re excited to try this activity but don’t want to start from scratch, I can help! My Scientific Method Activity: Paper Airplane Science Experiment includes everything you need to guide your students through this investigation. The resource features:

• Step-by-step instructions for leading the experiment.
• Lab booklet and worksheets for data collection and analysis.
• Vocabulary posters and word wall cards to reinforce key terms.
• Graphing activities to help students visualize their results.
• Writing prompts to encourage reflection and communication.

This comprehensive resource saves you time and ensures your students have a meaningful, engaging experience with the scientific method.

Conclusion

Teaching the scientific method doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With the paper airplane experiment, you can provide your students with a hands-on, memorable way to explore science while reinforcing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By following the steps outlined in this post, you’ll make the scientific method come alive in your classroom. Ready to get started? Check out my Paper Airplane Science Experiment Resource and bring this exciting activity to your students today!

Looking for more ways to teach the scientific method? CLICK HERE to read the post 6 Ways to Teach the Scientific Method.

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