Learning truly took flight at Highland Middle School as students in Sean Banks’s Technology classes explored the principles of flight through hands-on experimentation.

As part of their STEM (science, technology, engingeering, and math) curriculum, students became young engineers for the day—designing, folding, and testing their own paper airplanes. After each test flight, they modified their designs to better understand how the forces of lift, weight, gravity, thrust, and drag influence aerodynamics.

Through this engaging activity, students were able to see science in action while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The lesson offered a fun and memorable way to connect classroom learning with real-world engineering concepts—demonstrating STEM education at its best.