Working scientifically
The paper helicopter fair test
Does wing length change how long a paper spinner takes to fall?
Watch first
An English teaching video on this topic from Smart Learning Ltd. Watch it, then scroll down for the lesson.
What you need
Tick each one as you find it — 0 of 5 ready.
Plan the fair test
- Change: Wing length in cm
- Measure: Mean fall time in seconds
- Keep the same: Drop height, paper type, body width, number of paper clips
Objectives this evidences
- Select, plan and carry out the most appropriate types of scientific enquiry to test predictions, including identifying independent, dependent and control variables
Do it, one step at a time
Step 1 of 4
- Step 1. Cut a 3 cm by 20 cm strip, split the top 8 cm into two wings and fold them opposite ways. Clip the bottom.
- Step 2. Drop it from a fixed height and time the fall. Repeat five times and take a mean.
- Step 3. Make copies with wings of 4 cm, 6 cm, 8 cm and 10 cm, keeping everything else identical.
- Step 4. Plot wing length against mean fall time and mark any anomalous result.
What should happen
Longer wings fall more slowly, up to a point where the spinner becomes unstable.
Think about: Write your conclusion in one sentence, then add the sentence your data cannot support.
Write up your result
A sentence or two is enough to save it.
The lessons behind this practical
Each one opens with the same short film, and the film has a written transcript underneath if reading is easier than watching.
Now the quiz for this topic
Questions come from the lessons behind this practical, so nothing is asked that has not been taught.
Quiz
Working scientifically quiz
8 questions from the lessons in this stage. No timer, and you can try again as many times as you like.