Taking flight in 4th Class

Mr. Wilson’s class took to the skies (well… almost!) as we learned all about the fascinating world of aerodynamics!

Our lesson began with a discussion about how things fly. We explored the forces that act on flying objects—lift, thrust, drag, and gravity—and how these forces affect everything from birds to jumbo jets. The children were full of questions and curiosity as we discussed what makes something aerodynamic and how air moves around objects.

Then it was time to put our knowledge to the test!

Each child designed and folded their very own paper airplane, thinking carefully about the shape of the wings, the length of the nose, and the type of fold that would help it glide as smoothly—and as far—as possible. Some opted for long, sleek designs to reduce drag, while others experimented with wider wings for greater lift.

Once the planes were ready, we headed outside for our official test flights. There were lots of “oohs” and “aahs” as planes soared (and occasionally spiralled!) across the yard. Children observed how different designs performed in flight and discussed how they could improve their models based on the results.

Back in class, we reflected on what we had learned. Many students made clever connections between science and real-world engineering, realising that even small design changes could make a big difference in performance.

It was a fun, hands-on way to explore physics and engineering, while also developing skills in observation, prediction, and experimentation. Well done to all the future engineers and pilots in Mr. Wilson’s class!

You never know, when you're off on your summer holidays this year, it might be a 4th class girl in the pilots seat!