REMOTE CONTROL PAPER PLANE KITS

In July SLQ lent Redland Libraries multiple Power Up 2.0 and 3.0 Paper Plane Kits to test and create school holiday activities for children. The Power Up 2.0 was a battery powered propeller designed to attach to a paper plane; the 3.0 was a blue tooth operated propeller powered and guided with an app. Three staff members were assigned to individually test, create and develop a school holiday activity integrating the paper plane kits.

The main challenge staff faced was creating an activity to suit a classroom size, as the kits were designed for an open space. The kits recommended using a mobile phone; however, it was found through trial and error that a tablet-enabled more control. We also learned the importance of holding the tablet at a horizontal level for the plane’s aerodynamics to function at its full capacity.

The kits will encourage children to learn aerodynamics, express creativity, teamwork, troubleshoot and explore new technology. It was a learning curve for staff as well, with multiple misfires and a few staff causalities (nothing too serious! Just a few knocks to the head and staff vendettas!) We would like to thank SLQ for this amazing opportunity in allowing us to challenge ourselves, explore new technology and have fun in the process!

About the authors:

Chloe Moore, Rebekah Armstrong and Melita Bhindi are Technology Resource Officers at Redland City Council Libraries and support the development and delivery of school holiday programs, computer tutorials and code and robotic programs.