Lesson Plan: Symmetry In Paper Airplanes (Page 2 of 2) in pdf

Lesson Plan: Symmetry In Paper Airplanes Page 2

B. Activity

1. Ask,” When designing and making the paper airplanes, what did you think about?” “Did

you make the airplane symmetrical?” (Have a few examples of symmetry to show the

class; so they have a good visual picture of what symmetry is).

2. Now instruct the class that you would like them to build another paper airplane. This

airplane must not have any curved lines...only straight lines and angles. Be sure to use at

least one acute angle, one right angle and one obtuse angle.

3. Decorate and color the planes symmetrically.

4. With a protractor, have students measure at least five angles on each airplane and record

on a chart.

5. Have students trade paper airplanes, and continue to measure angles on other airplanes.

Record angles measured.

C. Wrap-up

1. Organize students into groups of 3 or 4. In each group students must choose one airplane

to represent their group.

2. As a group, students will design an insignia and make a patch similar to the flight patches

that military pilots and astronauts wear on their flight suits. Students may want to name

their airplane and include this on their flight insignia.

Assessment/

Evaluation:

Students will be evaluated on their ability to use a protractor correctly and measure angles

accurately.

Originally published as part of Project SOAR™: Science in Ohio through Aerospace Resources, Volume I-III.

Dayton, Ohio: The National Museum of the United States Air Force and The Air Force Museum Foundation,

Inc. 1997-1999.

Lesson Plan: Symmetry In Paper Airplanes Page 2