Objectives 
In this lesson, students will: 
· Explore Air and Space Museums 
· Design and create a paper airplay 
· Record characteristics (time and length) of flight 

Time Frame
Two 1-hour sessions 

Materials
1. Internet access 
2. Medium-weight colored or white sheets of paper 
3. Butcher paper for record keeping 
4. Stopwatch 
5. Tape measure 

Procedure
1. Explore the Air and Space Museums listed here and discuss issues of flight (wind, currents, flow, etc.). 
2. Demonstrate a paper airplane construction and flight and view the unique paper airplanes at  Kool Paper Airplanes  (http://koolpaperairplanes.hypermart.net/).
3. Give each student a several pieces of paper with which to construct a folded paper airplane. 
4. In the hallway, designate a starting line for take-off. 
5. Using chalk mark the spot where the plane touches down, while students record the time the plane was in the air using a stopwatch.  Also measure the distance of the flight using the tape measure.  Record this information on the butcher paper chart in the Indoor column. 
6. Conduct the same experiment again but move the launch site outdoors. 
7. Discuss the various designs and factors that may have affected launch distance and time. 

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