Activities and Games, Computer Lab Activities
Build a Plane: A 100 Years of Flight Activity
In this online activity, students build their own virtual plane and then test if it would actually fly.
- Grades: 6–8
Part of the 100 Years of Flight project, Scholastic’s “Build a Plane” activity (grades 3–8) asks students to make three decisions on building an airplane, just like the Wright brothers once did. They have to choose:
- Wings with enough surface area and the proper curve to provide lift
- A means to control the direction of the aircraft's movement
- A lightweight source of power
To help guide their choices, they can read facts based on physics and from what the Wright brothers learned. Finally, they find out if their plane will fly or crash!
While participating in the “Build a Plane” activity, students draw a conclusion based on the results of an experiment in decision-making.
- Use Web technology to access information.
- Draw a conlcusion based on the results of an experiment in decision making
- Participate in active writing activities and peer review
- Distinguish between an observation and a fact.
- Investigate change over time to gain perspective on how the ability to fly has affected our nation's politics and culture.
- Interpret information from timelines.
- Compare and contrast the accomplishments of several pilots and scientists.
- Create a timeline using information and media from their own research.
- Reflect on what has been learned after reading by formulating ideas, opinions, and personal responses