Engineering Fundamentals · Lesson 4 of 6
Name: ________________ Date: __________
Paper Glider or Mars Lander
The problem
Design something that moves safely through the air. Pick your path: a glider that flies far and straight, or a lander that protects a small object when it falls and hits the ground. Either way, air and gravity are working against you.
Materials checklist
- Paper
- Index cards
- Straws
- Tape
- String
- Coffee filters
- Cups
- Cotton balls
- Rubber bands
- A plastic egg, ping pong ball, or small toy to protect
Design sketch
Draw your plan and label the parts.
Prediction
What do you think will happen when you test it? What might fail first?
Build notes
Write what you actually built and any changes you made along the way.
Test results
| Test | What to record | Try 1 | Try 2 | Try 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glider - distance | Farthest distance in centimeters | |||
| Glider - accuracy | How many of five landings are near the target | |||
| Glider - stability | Straight, curved, or nose-dive | |||
| Lander - protect the object | Did the object survive undamaged? (yes / no) | |||
| Lander - compare designs | Which design protects the object better |
What failed first?
What did you change?
Reflection
1. Did heavier designs fly better or worse?
2. What happened when the design was unbalanced?
3. What slowed the fall?
4. What made the landing safer?
5. What did you change after testing?
Extension challenge
Get your glider to turn in a wide circle instead of flying straight.