Teachers and families across the country are facing a new reality of providing opportunities for students to do science through distance and home learning. The Daily Do is one of the ways NSTA is supporting teachers and families with this endeavor. Each weekday, NSTA will share a sensemaking task teachers and families can use to engage their students in authentic, relevant science learning. We encourage families to make time for family science learning (science is a social process!) and are dedicated to helping students and their families find balance between learning science and the day-to-day responsibilities they have to stay healthy and safe.

Interested in learning about other ways NSTA is supporting teachers and families? Visit the NSTA homepage.

Sensemaking is actively trying to figure out how the world works (science) or how to design solutions to problems (engineering). Students do science and engineering through the science and engineering practices. Engaging in these practices necessitates that students be part of a learning community to be able to share ideas, evaluate competing ideas, give and receive critique, and reach consensus. Whether this community of learners is made up of classmates or family members, students and adults build and refine science and engineering knowledge together.

Structure and function is an important relationship in both science and engineering. Structures can be designed to serve particular functions by taking into account the properties of different materials. We can find structure-and-function relationships in both living and human-designed things at many scales.

In today's task, Why are plane designs so different?, students and their families engage in science and engineering practices and use the thinking tools of structure and function and patterns to figure out how the shapes of structures help determine a plane's function.

Ask students, "Have you ever thought about why all planes aren't the same? There are two planes I'm thinking about in particular: an F-22 Raptor and a C5-B Galaxy."

Tell students you have a video of an F-22 Raptor that you want to share. Ask them to make observations and record them in their science notebook or on blank paper. You might give them time to make observations before starting the video.

Next, tell students you have a video of a USAF C-5 Galaxy up close takeoff at Abbotsford [Airport] to share (01:16 to end). Ask them to create a table titled Similarities and Differences Between an F-22 Raptor and a C-5B Galaxy; the table should have two columns, one labeled Similarities and the other labeled Differences. Ask students to note similarities and differences between the two planes as they watch the video.

Alternatively, ask students to make and record observations of the C-5B Galaxy as they watch the video. Then give them a few minutes to use their observations of the two planes to create the Similarities and Differences table.

As each group shares, look for opportunities to ask, "Why does the shape of _____ matter for its function? What other properties of the structure might allow it to have certain behaviors?" For example, if students mention the body of the F-22 Raptor as evidence of its function, ask why the shape of the body matters for its function (aerodynamic, makes it move fast; large surface area, increases lift so it can fly high/far) and what other properties of the body allow it to fly fast/high/far (rigid, lightweight, etc.).

After all groups have had an opportunity to share, ask, "What are some ways we could test our initial thinking?" Students might respond as follows:

• Research the two planes.
• Make model planes and fly them.
• Use a flight simulator to fly different planes.

Say to students, "We have material available to make model planes. Does it make sense to start there?"

Tell students you have directions for paper airplanes that are similar to the F-22 Raptor and C5-B Galaxy.

Ask students, "What type of data should we collect to test our ideas about the functions of the two planes that we based on their structures?" Students might suggest the following:

• distance
• speed
• time in the air
• accuracy (ability to hit a target)

Set up testing stations around the room or outdoor area, if it's not too windy. Tell students that each group will be assigned data to collect (or you might allow groups to choose). Ideally, at least two groups will collect the same data. Ask the groups to plan their investigation and to identify how they will keep their testing fair. Then ask groups collecting the same type of data to meet to discuss their plan for investigation and fair-test list. Allow groups to make changes to their plans/lists based on feedback provided by another group.

Students' fair-test lists might include the following:

• Same student throws the planes/holds the plane the same.
• Same force is used to fly the plane.
• Distance is measured from starting point (tip of throwing student's foot, for example) to first point of contact with the ground.
• Planes are "uncrinkled" before each flight.
• Creases are the same on both planes (creased using the same method).

Ask students to create data tables including title and labels. This is a good opportunity to discuss the number of trials and the circumstances that might require students to "redo" a trial (e.g., airplane swooped away by wind; airplane strikes a student). You might consider asking students to include a space in their tables for observations if you plan to have students record the flights of their paper airplanes.

Now it's time to make the paper airplanes!

Materials (for each group)

• Letter-sized paper (8 1/2 in. x 11 in.), 2–4 sheets per group
• Stopwatch
• Meter stick or tape measure (you can also use steps to measure distance)
• Target

Note: You might choose to put materials at the stations instead of distributing them to groups.

Tell students that the directions for folding the paper airplanes are in the World War Squared video. You can play the video at slower speed: Settings > Playback Speed > 0.75 (or 0.5).

• 0:00–2:55 Hot Dog plane (includes brief introduction to National World War II Museum)
• 2:55–5:30 Hamburger plane

Ask students to check in with you (show you their paper airplanes) before they begin their investigations.

Allow student groups to conduct their investigations.

Create a space where students can report the (average) data they collected to the class. You might use poster paper, a virtual whiteboard like Jamboard, or a shared Google Doc/Sheet. (If more than one group collected the same type of data, put both results in the same space on the table.) Make sure it is possible for students to see all the data collected by the class.

Ask students, "What patterns do you observe in the data presented in our class table?" Give students time to work independently (Alone Zone) and ask them to record ideas in their science notebook or on blank paper.

Then ask the class to share the patterns they observed with a partner.

Next, ask students to share a pattern they observed or their partner observed with the class. You might record and put check marks next to patterns that students have in common (add a check mark each time the same pattern is shared).

Ask students, "How might the structures of these planes explain their functions? That is, how might the different structures of the plane explain the patterns we observed in our data?" Ask students to discuss this question in their groups. Don't have the groups share their ideas yet.

Return to the video and play from 5:30 to 7:05. Draw a plane for the class. Ask students to share the forces acting on a plane (lift, gravity, thrust, drag). Ask students, "How should I represent the force?" (Use arrows.) "How could I represent the size of the force?" (thickness of arrow, darkness of drawn arrow, length of arrow)

Consider drawing all the forces the same size and in opposite directions (thrust-drag/lift-gravity) and asking, "What do you predict is the motion of the plane in my model?" (hovering in air, not moving) You might change the forces acting on your model and again ask students to predict the motion of the plane.

Now ask students to return to their groups and continue their discussion about how the different structures of the plane explain the patterns observed in the class data and to consider the forces acting on the plane. You might hear students talk about the relationships between these factors:

• surface area of structure and lift
• weight of structure and lift
• structure shape and drag

Ask students, "Why would engineers design a cylinder-shaped structure (C5-B Galaxy) versus a flattened triangle-shaped structure (F-22 Raptor), considering drag?" (The C5-B Galaxy needs to carry cargo/people, and cylinder shape creates space.)

Point out to students that while plane structure determines the function, the design is ultimately based on a need or want.

Assign students into groups based on their design goals (put students together who want improve the distance the plane travels, for example). Ask students to determine (1) the criteria for success for their designs and (2) how they will test their designs. Remind students to use the class data to help them determine success criteria and to refer to the fair-test list they generated when developing their testing procedure.

Give students an opportunity to individually brainstorm ideas for their design. As you walk around the room, ask questions like, "How do you think this structure (point to structure) will improve the function of distance/speed/accuracy/load? How will changing this structure affect the lift/drag/weight?"

Ask students to share their ideas with their group, then come to consensus on the group plan. Make sure each group has criteria for success, a testing procedure, and a complete design before allowing them to build their plane.

After students have created, tested, and improved their designs, bring the class back together. Ask each group to show their final design to the class and answer these questions (which include teacher notes):

• Was your design successful? How well does it meet the criteria for success?
• What is one thing you really like about your design? Even if the design was unsuccessful, students can identify a design feature that they like/are proud of that might become the basis of an improved design.
• How would you improve your design if you had more time or different materials? Engineers are always seeking to improve designs even when the design is successful.

You might ask students to share how the structures of their planes affected the lift, drag, and weight of their planes.

Note: Check out the How Can Properties Help Solve Problems? Daily Do for brainstorm, group plan, and reflection scaffolds.

The Engineering Design Process (EDP) comes in many forms. Engineers enter the EDP to create a new technology—or improve an existing one—to meet a need or want. Engineers on the job may start at any step, depending on the needs of a particular project.

To explore a real-world science and history connection, ask your students to read Catch a Glider (or read the story together).

You might ask students to discuss how the glider might have been improved to better rescue the stranded service members.

Tell students, "Now that you figured out the ways a plane's design affects its function, watch these videos to explore what it takes to enter exciting STEM careers in aviation!"

Aerospace Engineers—What Is It?

Consider a Career in Business Aviation

STEM Career Awareness is an important part of educating and preparing our students for the future workforce.

NSTA has created a Why Are Plane Designs So Different? collection of resources to support teachers and families using this task. If you're an NSTA member, you can add this collection to your library by clicking Add to My Library, located near the top of the page (at right in the blue box).

The NSTA Daily Do is an open educational resource (OER) and can be used by educators and families providing students distance and home science learning. Access the entire collection of NSTA Daily Dos.

This Daily Do is based on Earn Your Wings from Real World Science, a program from the National WWII Museum, sponsored by the Northrop Grumman Foundation.