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Science Sept Week2

This document provides instructions for creating a DIY straw airplane using cardstock, a straw, and tape, with options for cutting the cardstock into different strip sizes. It explains the science behind the flight of the hoop glider, detailing the forces of thrust, drag, lift, and gravity. Additionally, it suggests various STEM experiments to explore the effects of design changes on the airplane's flight performance.

Uploaded by

Mansour ZEBBOUDJ
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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8 views7 pages

Science Sept Week2

This document provides instructions for creating a DIY straw airplane using cardstock, a straw, and tape, with options for cutting the cardstock into different strip sizes. It explains the science behind the flight of the hoop glider, detailing the forces of thrust, drag, lift, and gravity. Additionally, it suggests various STEM experiments to explore the effects of design changes on the airplane's flight performance.

Uploaded by

Mansour ZEBBOUDJ
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Materials:

• Cardstock paper (A4)


• Ruler
• Scissors
• Drinking straw (if you have a bendy straw, cut the accordion part off)
• Tape
• (Optional) Straw Airplane Template
Instructions:

You have 3 options when it comes to cutting the cardstock paper:


• Cut the cardstock paper so you have 3 strips pieces measuring 5”x1”.
Take 2 of the strips and tape them together so now you have a 10”x1”
strip.
• Cut the cardstock paper so you have 1 strip that is 10”x1” and 2 strips
that are 5”x1”.
• Print the Straw Airplane Template on cardstock paper and cut along
the outlines
Instructions:

• Curl the 5”x1” strip into a hoop and tape the ends together.
• Repeat with the 10”x1” strip.
• Tape the hoops to the two ends of the straw. Make sure the straw is
on the inside of the hoops and lined up.
• Hold the hoop glider in the middle of the straw with the little hoop in
the front and throw!
The Science Behind the DIY Straw Airplanes for Kids

There are 4 forces at work behind the hoop glider.


• The thrust is the force that pushes the straw glider forward. When you
launch the straw airplane with your hand, you are generating enough
thrust that allows the plane to move through the air.
• Drag, or air resistance, is the force that acts in opposition to the thrust.
Drag is what slows the airplane down.
• Air moves through the hoops and provides lift, or the force that keeps the
airplane up.
• Gravity is the force that pulls the hoop glider downward and acts against
the lift. As the airplane slows down due to drag, the strength of the lift
lessens and gravity pulls the glider down to the ground.
STEM Extensions

There are many experiments you can do with this STEM activity. Try the following
and observe the impact of these experiments on the flight of the straw airplane:
• Try making the hoopster with a shorter or longer straw.
• Move the bigger hoop toward the middle of the straw.
• Instead of one small hoop and one big hoop, try making the straw airplane with
two small hoops and two big hoops on one straw.
• Tape the hoops on the straw so they are not in line.
• Add weight to the glider by attaching a paper clip to the bottom of the small
hoop.
• Use two hoops that are the same size.
• Use a stick (or something without a hollow center) instead of a straw.
• Try using lighter or heavier weight paper.
Final Thoughts on the Straw Airplane

• The hoopster, straw airplane, hoop glider, or whatever you call it is a


lot more fun than a paper plane.
• Because it can fly straight and cover a long distance.
• Kids can ride around on their bikes and you try to hit them with the
hoop glider.
• Then, you try throwing the hoop gliders at different targets to see
how well we can aim.
• Point is, use your imagination!

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