Paper helicopter blades: identify the feature under investigation

Blade length is a workable question only if other important features remain comparable. Name the deliberate change, state what will be observed and agree how the spinner will be released before beginning.

To hand: Educator-prepared paper spinners.

Choose blade length. Keep other features alike. Compare descent observations.

A variable needs a measurement plan

Keep the spinner's release point and orientation similar. Otherwise a difference in descent could reflect the launch rather than blade length.

Test a longer blade against a shorter blade on otherwise similar models.

Which feature is the test variable? Use pre-cut models.

Several simultaneous changes obscure interpretation.

Resources

• Paper aircraft test – Forces and Flight Major Activity — Use the aircraft investigation for a follow-up comparison with a recorded procedure.

Further reading

• CSIRO — inquiry and explicit teaching

Read next

• An unexpected result belongs in the investigation log
• Find the moving part in a sound-making object
• The salt is harder to see: what can we conclude?

Explore Forces, light and weather. Browse all teaching articles.