Teaching Kids about flight
Cowra Model Aircraft Club has two education officers who over the last 20 years or so have been keen to pass their love of flying things and
aeromodelling skills to the next generation. Generally these modules are delivered within a one hour time slot which is the average
kids attention span for this sort of activity anyway.
Over time we have refined our approach and now have a number of simple models that we have found work best in this situation.
These models work well with a wide range of kids and require only limited skills to produce aircraft that fly.
In fact the modules place more emphasis on flying than building as you will see.
Due to copyright restrictions we thought it best not to provide copies of plans etc. but the references are given to all designs.
We are always on the look out for new ideas. If you have any projects that have worked with kids please let us know so that we can learn from your experience.
1. Paper aeroplane module
Aim
To introduce kids to the concept (and fun) of flight and give them designs that they can experiment with and later on even make at home.
Paper aeroplanes are cheap, easy to make and yet teach that accuracy in building, symetry, balance and trimming are all important to a
nice flying aeroplane. They are also colourful and can be embellished with all sorts of creative and imaginative artwork that individualise
the model and make it 'theirs'. You will need one table for each 3 children, a good size hall to fly the models in, unless you can do it outside
in the daytime (at night the models quickly get damp and heavy). About one helper for every three children seems to work well for a range of ages
and ensures kids stay on task.
There are lots of paper aeroplane books available. Choose one that is colourful and inspiring and where plans can be blown up to A3 size easily.
Materials
- A4 good quality coloured photocopy paper (at least 3-4 sheets/child)
- Coloured felt tipped pens and pencils
- A3 size photocopied instructions (one per three children) for 3 different models of different complexity from a good paper aeroplane book
- Three small prizes appropriate to the night (small gliders, kites or books etc)
These designs look the part and perform well. The book called 'The Big Book of Awesome Paper Aeroplanes" by Flying Frog Publishing,Baltimore MD only cost $10 and has really great designs
Preparation:
- Test out the models you are going to make so that you are familiar with the design and have an example on hand to stimulate interest
(especially if you can show them how well they fly). If possible get your helpers to do the same.
Presenting the session
- Show them the gliders you have made and if possible demonstrate the flight potential of one of your best peforming models
- Place instructions for model no. 1 and one piece of paper each child on each desk so that everyone has plenty of room
- Space desks out so that there is plenty of room
- Demonstrate how to make sure the aeroplane is straight and true
- Get instructors to go through the process together with the kids one step at a time until finished
- After they have put name on their model demonstrate the correct launch procedure for the model and then allow them to launch when ready
- Place instructions paper etc on desks for second model on desks while they are doing this
- Get them to put their models to one side and come back to the tables to make model no.2
- And so on until all three models have been made
- If time permits include a quick 'distance' or 'accuracy' event where every child gets to launch each model once with a
prize for the furthest away or closest to a spot etc.
2. 'Pencil glider' module
Aim
To teach the children that changing the balance of an aeroplane will affect its performance. The model chosen comes form a book titled "The Magnificent Book of Kites" by Maxwell Eden (Sterling Publishing Co. New york) page 304-312. This basic glider is different enough to attract their attention yet the materials are simple enough for them to obtain even while on holidays if they want to build one for themselves at a later date. More importantly it is robust and difficult to break (unless you stand on it). By adding more or less 'blu-tack' or 'plasticine' weights to wings, nose and tail they can experiment and discover how flight is affected. You will need one table for each 3 children, a good size hall to fly the models in, unless it is very calm and you can fly the models outside. About one helper for every three to four children seems to work well and ensures kids stay on task.
Materials
- One A3 size photocopy of instructions per table
- One McDonalds large take away polystyrene coffee mug per child (plus a spare or two). Sorry the 'Expresso' or 'MaCafe' type wont do!...perhaps your local McDonalds would be happy to donate the cups as free advertising?
- Clear sticky tape or masking tape
- One erasor tipped pencil or 'cut to length 6mm dowel' per child (plus a spare or two)
- One pack of Blue tack or plasticene for weights (you might need more than you think you do)
- One pair of sharp scissors or modelling knife per helper
- Several templates for marking out cutting lines
- Coloured felt tipped pens
- Prizes as needed
Large foam coffee cup, cutting template and finished pencil glider
Preparation
- Make several templates for the session
Make at least one glider for demonstration purposes and ,
- Experiment with it yourself a bit
Presenting the session
- Demonstrate the model
- Distribute poystyrene cups templates and pens to kids and scissors to helpers
- Get each helper to demonstrate how to use the template to mark out the cutting lines then,
- Get each child in turn come to them to have the cuts made
- Get them to stick the wings to the sticks/pencils as per the picture (it doesn't seem to be too critical how they do this)
- Let them play with them for a while then,
- Distribute small amounts of 'blu-tack' and show them what you can do by adding weight to a wing (makes it turn) to the nose (makes it dive) etc.
- This last step will take up most of the session so join in and let them see you having some fun too
- If time permits include a quick 'distance' or 'accuracy' event where every child gets to launch their model once at a time with a prize for the furthest away or closest to a spot etc.
3. 'Gumnut glider' module
Aim
To introduce children to balsa wood as a modelling material and to refine their ability to build trim and fly a model aircraft.This simple design comes from the 'Gumnut' series of small balsa models by Jamie Herder and Ron Neve (Airborne Magazine Vols 96-102: Nov 1989 - Nov 1990). It is reasonably economical as it is designed to use standard sheets of balsa with minimal wastage. It also performs quite well as long as light(ish) warp-free balsa is used.
We found it best to pre-fabricate wing, fuselage and tail structures (A club night activity?) so that the students only have to assemble the model. This presents enough of a challenge for them on the day and means they get to the flying part quickly, their interest is maintained and they go away with a positive experience of aeromodelling.
Once again you will need one table for each 3 children, a good size hall to fly the models in, unless it is very calm and you can fly the models outside. About one helper for every three children seems to work okay and ensures well constructed aircraft.
Materials
- One prefabricated Gumnut glider per child plus a few spares
- One tube of superglue per helper (generic brands such as the 'Warehouse' brand are usually very cheap and adequate for the job)
- One bottle of CA accelerator
- One paper lining for each table to protect against glue spills
- Blu-tack or plasticine for trimming
- Prizes as needed
Gumnut Glider from Airborne Vol 102 Page 93 builds quickly and works well
Kits of pre-made parts and completed glider means speedy construction
Pre-cut squares of sandpaper and bluetack makes life easier on the night
Preparation
- Prefabricate all components for the glider and make up sets in plastic bags
- Make at least one glider for demonstration purposes and ,
- Experiment with it yourself a bit
Presenting the session
- Demonstrate the model to stilulate interest
- Distribute instructions and kits to tables
- Demonstrate your assembly methods using your own kit
- Get each child to position and hold components while each helper applies glue (some CA accelerator helps here as every drop of CA sets and can't stick models to fingers)
- Distribute blu-tack and,
- Demonstrate how to add a bit to the nose to get the glider to perform. If you have already done module 2 this will be second nature to them by now
- Let them loose to test fly and trim their gliders
- If time permits include a quick 'distance' or 'accuracy' event where every child gets to launch their model once at a time with a prize for the furthest away or closest to a spot etc.
For more details contact Ian Cole (02 6342 4162)
