This post will describe how to build simple and inexpensive model gliders while teaching concepts of flight. To assist in organizing your classroom, I have also attached some files that I use to keep students to schedule and to assess them. I designed these gliders as part of an investigative inquiry for Grade 6 students. As such, the instructions that I give here are basic. The end product of this tutorial isn't a very good model glider, and that is done on purpose.
Students build their first model with my help. Then, they investigate how real gliders are built. Next, they experiment with the design of their own gliders; they move the wings a little forwards or backwards, they build new wings that are longer or thinner, they find ways of improving the aerodynamics of their model, they create their own building techniques so that their glider is stronger, they add weight to balance the force of lift, they play with the rudder and ailerons to get their gliders to roll and bank and ect. and ect. Because the materials are inexpensive and the techniques are simple, students are free to explore and learn from their mistakes.
The total building time for students in the classrooms that I've taught is about 40 minutes.
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scissors
tape
straws
construction paper
a few coins
I find straws to be a very useful building tool for students in the classroom. They are light and fairly strong for their weight. Furthermore, they can be connected together to increase their length quite easily.
Pinch the end of the straw...
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| The pinched end of a straw. |
...and then push the pinched end into the end of a second straw.
The fuselage of the glider is made from four sets of straws that have been connected to add to their length.
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| The straws are taped at their junction for strength. |
Bundle four sets of straws are together. Tape them near the front and near the middle. Make the bundle as "square" as possible.
After that, connect another two straws together to increase their length. Push them through the fuselage.
This will create a "t" shape. After that, cut a piece of construction paper the length of the wing. Notice the small hole in the middle. Slide the front of the fuselage through the hole.
Tape the straws to the inside of the wing. This will keep them from wiggling and sliding awkwardly.
Then, tape the back edge of the wing close and trim off any extra length of straw.
Almost done!
Now comes the tough part. Add a vertical stabilizer. Students have a difficult time making a vertical stabilizer that is sturdy. Their's tend to flop over. But that is part of the process.
One way is to fold a piece of construction paper in half and then cut it about 5 cm along the bottom of the fold.
Then, fold tabs to the right and left.
This is what it should look like from the top when the back side has been taped together.
Tape this to the horizontal stabilizer. Adding a straw can add more stability.
At this point, the model glider should look something like this.
All that is left now is to cut ailerons and a rudder...
...and then add some weight to the nose.
As I stated at the beginning. This first attempt will not work very well. The wings are too wide and the vertical and horizontal stabilizers require some modifying. At the end of 40 minutes, the versions that most grade 6s build is pretty flimsy. They need to spend time working on making their model more aerodynamic and stronger. But, it is a start.
I usually give students two or three more periods to research, build, experiment and then go back to the drawing board to start all over.
I also put my class into teams. Every member of a team builds their own glider, but all the gliders in a team must be built for a different purpose; fly for a long distance, carry a load (e.g., a bolt), do a roll over, bank to the right and left ect. and ect.
I hope my instructions work well for you. Happy building.
Attached are PDFs of different forms that I use in class to keep the students on schedule and assess them. I wish I could attach them as documents, but I haven't figured out how to do that as of yet. As with anything on my sight, please feel free to use it at will or change it to your needs. If you do something amazing, let me know so that I can improve my craft as well. If you appreciate what I'm doing, just mention me somewhere.
My Assessment Tracking Sheet (Ontario Curriculum)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-2_v6_EOf_UMnZZdUp5dFB3aVU/view?usp=sharing
Student Project Worksheet
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-2_v6_EOf_UQU9xSDVHd2pXNXc/view?usp=sharing
Project Schedule with Rubric https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-2_v6_EOf_UUG9IVWIyMjFPNlU/view?usp=sharing
