Paper Airplane: Dynamic Dart

Paper airplanes are gliders. Since they have no engines or propellers to generate thrust, the amount of force (a push or a pull), provided by the thrower gives the paper airplane the energy for its flight. While in flight, the wings of a paper airplane push down on the air underneath them creating an area of higher air pressure. The difference in air pressure above the wings (low) and below the wings (high) creates lift.  During its flight, the air is pushing back again the plane and gravity is trying to pull the paper airplane down to the Earth (drag).  Other factors that affect the flight of a paper airplane include its weight and its initial starting height.

Japanese origami is the art of folding paper into shapes and models, which can be traced back to the 12th century.  The word origami comes from the Japanese words “oru,” to fold, and “kami,” paper.

​In this Simple STEM Activity, the student’s task is to create a paper airplane, then test how the amount of force (a push or a pull) used to launch it affects the distance it travels.

Paper Airplane Resources:

Paper Airplane Dynamic Dart - Simple STEM Activity_Page_1