Problem-solving and paper planes

One of the more rewarding moments in homeschooling is when an “aha” moment conceptually translates into real-world problem-solving. 

Yesterday we circled back to forces of flight in science (we introduced this in pre-k when they were obsessed with Dusty Crophopper from Planes and we deepen our understanding every year or two as they become more interested and capable) because Justice was frustrated that his paper airplanes were not performing the way he wanted them to. 

We were able to isolate the problems (lift and pitch) and engineered wing flaps and increased thrust to remedy the situation. (Our next challenge will be to have a (somewhat) controlled flight turning a corner—yaw.)

To see these boys identify air resistance and overcoming structural deficiencies without my help—based on the concepts we’d discussed—I was thrilled!  (Then they spent about forty minutes “teaching” principles of flight to a very disinterested younger sister who was trying to be supergirl. But you know what they say; to really learn something, teach it!)