Computer Lab Activities, Online Learning Activities

Build a Plane: A 100 Years of Flight Activity

In this online activity, students use decision-making skills to build their own virtual plane, and then test if it would actually fly.

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!

Learning Objectives:

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

Related Resources

Celebrating 100 Years of Flight

These online activities help students explore flight history, from the Wright Brothers’ landmark invention to NASA landing on the moon.

Read more >