Defining an Engineering Design Problem with Paper Airplanes
Grade Range
3rd-5th
Group Size
3-4 students
Active Time
1 hour
Total Time
1 hour
Area of Science
Mechanical Engineering
Key Concepts
Engineering design, design problem, criteria, constraints
Learning Objectives
- Identify the criteria and constraints in a given engineering design problem.
- Explain why it is important to specify criteria and constraints for an engineering problem.
Credits
Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies
![]() OverviewAre paper airplanes a nuisance in your classroom? They don't have to be! Those distractions can be a constructive learning opportunity: use them to teach your students about the engineering design process. In this fun lesson, you will be the "customer" ordering a paper airplane, and your student teams will be engineering companies that will manufacture planes. Before they start making planes, they need to define the criteria and constraints of this engineering problem.NGSS AlignmentThis lesson helps students prepare for these Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations:
Materials![]()
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Grade Range
3rd-5th
Group Size
3-4 students
Active Time
1 hour
Total Time
1 hour
Area of Science
Mechanical Engineering
Key Concepts
Engineering design, design problem, criteria, constraints
Credits
Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies
Learning Objectives
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