OUTREACH : 50-min. HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS : Boomerangs: Flying with Style

Learn all about flying in this aerodynamic workshop! Participants will make a variety of airborne toys and explore the physics of flight.

This workshop is available for 50-minute and 90-minute sessions. The 50-minute program is generally geared towards elementary students. The 90-minute version allows for further exploration of the concepts presented in the program and encompases a wider range of flying toys.

Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations, Science v.1.09

• Identify the force that pulls objects towards the Earth. (P.FM.03.22)
• Relate a change in motion of an object to the force that caused the change of motion. (P.FM.03.36)
• Demonstrate when an object does not move in response to a force, it is because another force is acting on it. (P.FM.03.38)
• Compare and contrast sets of data from multiple trials of a science investigation to explain reasons for differences. (S.IA.04.15)
• Describe what happens when two forces act on an object in the same or opposing directions. (P.FM.05.31)
• Demonstrate the transformation between potential and kinetic energy in simple mechanical systems (for example: roller coasters, pendulums). (P.EN.06.12)

Boomerangs: Flying with Style Pre-visit Vocabulary

Air Resistance: Drag created by air. Parachutes help to maximize air resistance. A plane’s shape aims to minimize air resistance.

Drag: Resistance to a motion of an object.

Gravity: The force that pulls toward the center of a body of mass. The earth’s gravity acting on your body gives you your weight.

Lift: A force perpendicular to the movement of air over a plane’s wing.

Rotational Velocity: The rate of how fast an object spins.

Thrust: The force that propels an object forward. For instance, throwing a ball.

Velocity: The speed and direction of an object.

Boomerangs: Flying with Style Post-visit Activity

Post-visit activities provide your students with an opportunity to review workshop-presented concepts and introduce related subjects. Below you will find a classroom extension activity and a list of suggested resources for further exploration. We hope that you enjoyed our Outreach Hands-On Workshop and we look forward to visiting your students again!

Suggested Resources

Books

Internet

Momentum Conservation Principle
TBA