Science Activites

The 5E Model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate)

Build a Better Airplane

Engage: Look at photos of different paper airplanes and their folding directions.

Explore: In this activity you will choose 3 materials from the table and create an airplane for a class competition.

Materials

• Paper of a variety of thickness but all 8.5 X 11
• Paper clips
• Masking tape pieces (2 inches)
• Paper airplane design sheets

Explain: After you create your airplane you will get 3 chances to throw it. Between each throw you are allowed to change something about your plane.  We will measure the distances and add your best throw to the leader board.

Elaborate: Which paper airplane went the farthest?

Evaluate: What about it do you think made it go farther? What might you do next time to improve your plane?

Build a Better Boat

Engage: Review concepts of sink and float and surface area.

Explore: In this activity you will choose the materials from the table and create a boat for a class competition. You will get 3 chances to improve your boat.

1. Get one stick of plasticine clay to create a boat.
2. Place it in the tub of water and add one paper clip at a time until it sinks.
3. Add the amount of paper clips to the leader board.

Materials

• Plasticine clay
• Paper clips

Elaborate: Which boat held the most paper clips?

Evaluate: How was this boat different? What helped it hold more paper clips?