Cardboard Disc: Build, Test and Land on the Island

In pairs, students build a flying disc from two paper plates and test it by throwing at hoop islands at different distances. It combines design, testing and backhand accuracy.

How to play

1. Build: join two plates rim to rim, face to face, with tape around the whole edge (8 min).
2. Flight test: throw backhand and compare with other designs, one, two or three plates or more tape on the rim (6 min).
3. Islands: hoops at 5, 8 and 12 m; pairs take turns throwing and record which island they land on (10 min).
4. Moving island: a partner holds the hoop and moves; the disc must fly through it (8 min).
5. Share out: which design change made it fly straighter, and why (3 min).

Rules

• Throw only toward the hoop area and only when it's clear.
• Retrievers wait for the 'collect' signal.
• The moving-island partner holds the hoop to the side of the body, not in front of the face.
• Each disc has the pair's names on it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: throws from the wheelchair to closer islands with someone returning the disc.
• Low vision: hoop with a sound cone or a partner clapping from the island.
• Hesitant students: throw first to the nearest island until they land two.

Learning goals

• Design and improve an implement through testing.
• Throw backhand accurately at different distances.
• Connect shape, weight and flight.

Equipment for a class of 25

• paper plates: 60
• packing tape: 6
• hoops: 10
• cones: 10

Teacher tip

Rigid paper plates fly better than thin plastic ones. Two wraps of tape on the rim add edge weight and stability. If it's windy, throw downwind.

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