Airplane Racers

thingiverse

In this experiment, students will be designing, testing, and modifying airplane models they create on Tinkercad to achieve the ultimate goal of building an airplane that will travel down a zipline at the quickest time possible. Students have been given the challenge of designing an airplane that is aerodynamically superior, allowing it to reach top speeds down a zipline. After thorough testing of their airplane's speed, students will then modify their design to be the least aerodynamic and slowest time-producing airplane. Students will calculate the percentage change between their fast and slow designs and compare those results with other groups to gain valuable insights. Students will acquire numerous skills through this lab activity, including: - Developing engineering skills to create a model of an airplane that can quickly travel down a zipline. - Understanding the importance of the center of mass in objects. - Revamping their airplane models to generate more air resistance and result in a slower zipline travel time. Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) will be covered, including: - MS-PS3-1: Students will construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationship between kinetic energy and the mass of an object and its speed. - MS-ETS1-1: Students will define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with precision, considering relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the environment that may limit possible solutions. - MS-ETS1-2: Students will evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. - MS-ETS1-3: Students will analyze data from tests to identify similarities and differences among several design solutions, combining the best characteristics into a new solution that better meets the criteria for success. - MS-ETS1-4: Students will develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process, ultimately achieving an optimal design. Science and Engineering Practices (SEP) will also be emphasized: SEP1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems SEP2: Developing and Using Models SEP3: Planning and Carrying out Investigations SEP4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data SEP7: Engaging in Arguments from Evidence Common Core State Standards for Math (CCSSM) will be covered, including: - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.RP.A.2: Recognizing and representing proportional relationships between quantities. - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.RP.A.2.C: Representing proportional relationships by equations. Common Core Math Practices (MP) will also be applied: MP1: Making sense of problems and persevering in solving them MP4: Modeling with mathematics