| This article teaches kids about aeronautics and | | | | "Flying Paper Machine Equipment". Pull the box out, |
| gives a handful of totally fun activities to | | | | add kids, and stand back. |
| experiment with for their homeschool science | | | | Ready to make more flying things? Let's make |
| learning (including helicopters, parachutes, and | | | | more things that fly, zoom, twirl, and soar while |
| other flying machines). It's also good for boy | | | | teaching homeschool science at the same time! |
| scouts working on a badge, or for any kids that | | | | Helicopters Cut out a paper rectangle 5 by 2 |
| love science experiments. These experiments are | | | | inches. Cut lengthwise down the strip, stopping |
| part of a homeschool science program that I | | | | about an inch before the end. Tape this uncut inch |
| teach, and I promise your kids will love it. | | | | to the end tip of a popsicle stick. Fold the |
| Every flying thing, whether it's an airplane, | | | | "bunny-ear" flaps down in opposite directions. |
| spacecraft, soccer ball, or flying kid, experiences | | | | Throw off a balcony and watch it whirl and |
| four aerodynamic primary forces: lift, weight, | | | | gyrate! Optional: You can notch the end of the |
| thrust and drag. An airplane uses a propeller or jet | | | | popsicle stick to make a sling-shot helicopter. |
| engine to generate thrust. The wings to create lift. | | | | Make a quick slingshot launcher by looping a |
| The smooth, pencil-thin shape minimizes drag. And | | | | rubber band to another popsicle stick end. |
| the molecules that make up the airplane attributes | | | | Butterfly Cups Tape two Dixie paper cups |
| to the weight. | | | | together, bottom-to-bottom. Chain together six |
| Let's find out what are all the parts of an airplane | | | | rubber bands. Loop one end of the rubber band |
| for. You'll need to get a cheap balsa wood airplane | | | | chain over your thumb and hold your arm out |
| for this next part - check out your local drug | | | | horizontally straight, palm up. Drape the remainder |
| store or toy store. I've even found them in | | | | of the chain along your arm. Place the taped |
| grocery stores for about $2. | | | | butterfly cups at the free end (near your |
| Take the balsa wood airplane and try to fly just | | | | shoulder) and slowly wind the rubber bands |
| the body (no wings or fins). It flips all over the | | | | around the middle section of the cups. When you |
| place. Try flying just the large wing (no body). | | | | wind near the end, stop, stretch the chain back |
| Somersaults! Now slide the large wing into the | | | | toward your elbow, make sure the rubber band |
| body and fly (fewer somersaults, but still sickening | | | | comes from the underside of the cups and |
| to fly in!). Now add a horizontal stabilizer (elevator) | | | | release. The cups should rotate quickly and take |
| tail, and when you throw it, add a slight curve so | | | | air, then gracefully descend down for a light |
| the plane "fishtails" in the air (like a car)… | | | | landing. Try making one with four cups. |
| but did you notice that there are no more | | | | Hot Air Balloons Shake out a garbage bag to its |
| somersaults? Add the vertical tail (rudder) and see | | | | maximum capacity. Tape (use duct or masking |
| how it now steers straight no matter how to | | | | tape) the open end almost-closed… you |
| curve-throw it. | | | | still want a small hole the size of the hair dryer |
| Sneaky Tip: if you remove the metal clip on the | | | | nozzle. Use the hair dryer to inflate the bag and |
| nose beforehand, you can add it last to really see | | | | heat the air inside (make sure you don't melt the |
| what it's for… notice where most of the | | | | bag). When the air is at its warmest, release your |
| weight is without the clip? | | | | hold on the bag while you switch off the hair |
| Tip for Teaching Homeschool Science: Keep a | | | | dryer. It should float up to the ceiling and stay |
| small box handy with these items inside: paper | | | | there for a while. This experiment works best on |
| clips (in two different sizes), rubber bands, scotch | | | | cold mornings. The greater the temperature |
| tape, scissors, index cards, string, copy paper, | | | | difference between the bag's air and the |
| hole punch, crayons, and a stapler. Label your box | | | | surrounding air, the longer it will float. |