Basics of Flight (National Paper Airplane Day)

It’s National Paper Airplane Day! Celebrate by learning the basics of flight from the US Air Force. Learn about the forces that allow your airplane to fly with maximum performance. Whose airplane can fly fastest and furthest?

Each student should have a sheet (or two!) of paper as we will be folding paper airplanes during the session.

Key Questions

• What forces are impacting the airplane in flight?
• What are the basic parts of an airplane?
• What does the term “aerodynamic” mean and why is it important for airplanes?

Expected Outcomes

• Students will learn vocabulary related to airplanes and aviation.
• Students will participate in the engineering and design process.
• Students will identify the basic parts of an airplane.

Grade Level: Elementary School

The virtual program series is available for free through Pathful Connect. Pathful Connect is a K-12 live, virtual work-based  learning (WBL) platform that ensures equitable participation in WBL by eliminating geographic, resource and access barriers.