PLANE LAUNCHER

We believe in projects that bring together science, art, and creativity, inspiring children to learn in a practical and engaging way

Discover, as a family, how this experience inspires curious minds and sparks children’s interest in science. Together, we can:

Review the concepts covered in class.
Explore the legacy of Elsie MacGill and understand the practical applications related to the project.
Stimulate curiosity and encourage critical thinking in young inventors.

Let’s turn learning into a memorable and fun experience!

Let’s get creative and take flight

The Plane Launcher project allows children to have fun while learning about the fascinating world of aerodynamics and engineering.

The “Plane Launcher” experience is a hands-on and fun activity in which young inventors have the opportunity to design and make their own aeroplanes. The activity begins with a discussion about the forces involved in the flight of a paper aeroplane and ends with a competition, where children compete to see whose aeroplane flies the highest or travels the furthest.

About InspiringInventors

Elsie MacGill

1905-1980

known as the “Queen of the Hurricanes”, was a canadian engineer. She was chief aeronautical engineer at Canadian Car and Foundry (CC&F) in Fort William, Ontario during the Second World War. There she oversaw manufacturing of 1,451 Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force and the British Royal Air Force, then 835 Curtiss Helldivers for the U.S. Navy, which contributed greatly to the war effort and did much to make Canada a powerhouse of aircraft manufacturing. After her work at CC&F, she ran a successful aeronautical engineering consulting business. Between 1967 and 1970, she was a Commissioner on the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada, which published a report in 1970

Ask Elsie McGill

The AI version of Elsie McGill answer your questions

This dialogue box uses artificial intelligence and is configured to respond exclusively to questions related to the project, its concepts and associated fields, as well as queries and curiosities about the history of each inventor. Questions outside this scope may not be answered. Always use under adult supervision.

Thank you for your understanding.

ConceptsCovered

Propulsion and Drag

Propulsion: The force applied to push something forwards, causing it to move.

Drag: The force that resists the motion of an object as it moves through a fluid, such as air or water.

Lift and Gravity

Lift: The force that keeps a body in the air, acting upwards against its weight.

Gravity: The force of attraction between bodies that have mass. It is the force that pulls the aeroplane downwards, towards the centre of the Earth.

Why this project?

The “Plane Launcher” project was created with three main objectives:

Understand the importance of these concepts: By building the Plane Launcher, young inventors learn about aerodynamics and engineering!

Explain its relevance today: Show young inventors that studying aerodynamic concepts is essential for developing emerging technologies such as drones and sustainable aircraft!

Focus on creativity and an inventive spirit: By taking part in this process, children develop skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and fine motor coordination!

At the end of the session, as well as making a paper aeroplane, young inventors will also gain a new appreciation for the world of engineering.

Together, let’s give imagination wings!

Challenges for you

Ask your young inventor what excited them most about the lesson, or try using the Plane Launcher together at home. Turn this into a fun moment for the whole family!

For the boldest inventors, send us your videos – we’d love to share your experiences on our social media. Make this project a memorable adventure for everyone!

Link to Instagram