Recycled Soda Can Airplane Project for STEM Education

Welcome to the Recycled Soda Can Airplane Project, an exciting and innovative STEM initiative designed to inspire students to explore the realms of recycling, sustainability, and aerodynamics. In this hands-on project, students will engage in a practical application of STEM principles by creating their own airplanes using recycled soda cans. Not only does this project provide a fun and interactive learning experience, but it also sheds light on the crucial importance of recycling in preserving our environment.

Benefits & Motivation behind this project -

Environmental Conservation: Recycling soda cans reduces the demand for raw materials, conserving natural resources and minimizing the environmental impact of mining and manufacturing processes.

Energy Savings: Recycling aluminum requires significantly less energy than producing new aluminum from raw materials. This leads to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and overall energy consumption.

Waste Reduction: By repurposing soda cans into functional and artistic objects, we contribute to reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, promoting a more sustainable and circular economy.

My Intro-

I am an educator & I teach at Camp Hill Highschool, PA

Materials Needed:

• Collected soda cans
• scissors
• ruler
• pencil
• Glue
• Double sided tape
• any additional decorative materials.

• Rinse and clean the collected soda cans thoroughly.
• Carefully remove the tops and bottoms of the cans using scissors, creating flat sheets of aluminum.

• In small groups, sketch and plan the design of your recycled soda can airplane.
• Consider aerodynamics, wing shape, and stabilizers.

• Using the flat aluminum sheets, cut out the pieces according to your design.
• Assemble the frame using a hot glue gun, ensuring stability and symmetry.

• Using the flat aluminum sheets obtained from the soda cans, carefully cut out wing shapes based on your design.
• Consider the size and angle of the wings, as well as any additional features like winglets for stability.
• Pay attention to symmetry to ensure balanced aerodynamics.

• Create stabilizers and a tail for the airplane, considering balance and stability during flight.
• Attach these components securely to the frame.

• Once all modifications and improvements have been made, finalize the assembly of your recycled soda can airplane.
• Ensure that all components are securely attached, and the structure is well-balanced.
• Conduct a thorough quality check, examining the overall construction, alignment of components, and the general stability of the airplane.
• Make any last-minute adjustments to guarantee a successful flight.
• Decorate your recycled soda can airplane if you haven't already, adding a personal touch to your creation.
• Prepare a brief presentation summarizing the design process, challenges faced, and the key features of your airplane.
• Each group takes turns showcasing their finished recycled soda can airplanes to the class.
• Discuss the unique aspects of your design, what you learned from the project, and any interesting observations during testing.
• Engage in a class discussion about the diversity of designs, the principles of recycling embedded in the project, and the significance of sustainability.
• Reflect on how small actions, like recycling, contribute to a larger impact on the environment.

• Gather as a group to collectively evaluate the performance of each recycled soda can airplane.
• Analyze the structure of your airplane to identify weak points or areas that may have contributed to suboptimal performance.
• Consider factors such as weight distribution, balance, and the overall rigidity of the frame.
• Keep a log or journal documenting the iterative process, noting each modification made, the rationale behind it, and the impact on performance.
• This documentation serves as a valuable learning resource and showcases the scientific and engineering method applied during the project.

• Each group presents their recycled soda can airplanes to the class, explaining the design process and any challenges faced.
• Engage in a class discussion reflecting on the broader themes of recycling, sustainability, and the impact of individual actions.
• Through these steps, students not only build a tangible project but also gain insights into recycling principles, engineering, and the importance of sustainable practices.
• Reflect on the broader lessons learned throughout the project. Discuss the significance of recycling and sustainable practices in the context of the project.
• Address how the iterative design process contributed to a deeper understanding of engineering principles.