1. SAMPLE: Fair Test Experiment
Paper Airplanes
John Doe and Jane Smith
Mr. Tripp
North Middle School

2. We are doing an experiment with Paper Airplanes
BRAINSTORM
We are doing an experiment with Paper Airplanes
What materials or conditions can be changed?
What can you measure as a result?
What tools and unit of measurement can you use?
Design of the plane
Paper used
Weight of the plane
How you throw the plane
Where you throw the plane (inside, outside)
Distance of flight
Height of the flight
Speed of flight
Time of flight
Ruler (cm), tape measure (cm), non standard unit (shoes), meter stick (cm)
Ladder, string and tape measure. (cm)
Radar gun (kph), stopwatch (seconds)
Stopwatch (seconds)

3. Variables and Constants
Independent Variable: Weight of Paper Airplane
Dependent Variable: Distance (cm) of flight
Constant Variables: Design of plane, type of paper used, how you throw the plane, where you throw the plane.

4. How does the weight of a paper airplane affect the distance it flies?
Testable Question
How does the weight of a paper airplane affect the distance it flies?

5. Hypothesis
If I throw paper airplanes with different weights, then the heavier plane will fly the farthest.

6. Procedure Make a paper airplane by using a design of your choice.
Go to an open location like a gym or hallway and throw the plane.
Measure the distance of flight with a tape measure in centimeters.
Throw and measure the plane again for 2 more trials.
Repeat steps 2-4 by adding 2 paperclips, then 4 paperclips.

7. Distance of flight (cm)
Data Table
Weight of plane
Distance of flight (cm)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Mean
0 paper clips
110 85 90 95
2 paper clips
225
230
280
245
4 paper clips
150
140
100

8. Graph
Distance of flight (cm)
Weight of paper airplane

9. Conclusion
This experiment was to determine if the weight of a paper airplane affects the distance it flies. My hypothesis was the heavier plane would fly the farthest. The data does not support my hypothesis because the plane with 2 paperclips flew the farthest with an average of 245 centimeters, and the heaviest plane with 4 paperclips only flew an average of 100 centimeters. To further this experiment we would like to determine if the design of the airplane would affect the distance it flies.