Printable learning mission · Grades 4–6 · Free
Paper Plane Test Lab
Change one thing, test two planes, and use your results to make a better design.
One three-page student pack to download and print.
What kids will do
Bring a pencil. Work through the pages in order, then share what you made.
Adult guideTips, a sample plan and a quick review checklist
One mission, three student sheets. Build, test, then improve. Use an open space and supervise the throws.
There is no fixed winning plane. Check that the child uses equal paper, one thrower, the same starting line, and the same measurement unit. Plane B differs only in wing tips.
On page 2, each total should be the sum of three throws. On page 3, the child makes Plane C by changing the better plane (or either plane if tied), then compares their actual totals. A result that did not improve is still useful evidence.
Use the same person’s steps across all throws. On the graph, Plane A and Plane B are on the vertical axis and total steps are on the horizontal axis. Children draw a bar from 0 to each total. If a total exceeds 120, write the number at the end of the bar.