"Flying Frisbee"

SCIENCE CONCEPT:

Air flow over the surface area of a curved shape of a wing is a basic element to assist in the process of aerodynamics. The longer distance over the top of the frisbee causes air to flow faster over the topside. Faster moving air has a lower pressure. Thus, lift is produced from the higher pressure below the frisbee.

STUDENT OBJECTIVE:

The student will observe that the curved shape of a wing (as demonstrated through a frisbee flight) is a key element in creating "lift" of a flying object.

OVERVIEW:

In this activity, the student will be tossing a frisbee in two ways: as it should be tossed, with the curved shape on top and also, improperly tossed,with the underside of the frisbee facing up. They should be able to observe the frisbee gliding easily through the air when the curved shape is on top.

TEACHER TEXT:

While insects are considered the most maneuverable of all flying creatures, birds are considered nature's perfect flying machines. Every part of a bird is adapted to flying. Their bodies are as streamlined as an airplane, enabling them to slip easily through the air. Their bones are strong yet lightweight, because they contain many air sacs. The chest muscle, which operates the wings, is extremely large and powerful. Their wings are covered in tightly fitting feathers that trap air.

The feathers have a stiff, straight part running through them called a shaft. On both sides of the shaft are vanes composed of barbs which are held together they barbules. The bird's wings, with each of its feathers are shaped much like an aircraft's wing--curved on top and flatter underneath. This allows both wings to achieve lift in the same way.

PREPARATION TIME: 5 minutes

LESSON TIME: 30 minutes

TEACHER PREP:

Gather a set of frisbees or ask students to bring frisbees from home.

• curve
• surface
• lift
• invert
• wobble
• sink
• fling

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• Frisbees

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

1. Look at the Frisbee. Notice the shape.

2. Fling the Frisbee in the correct way. Observe.

3. Now, fling the Frisbee upside down. Now observe.

4. Compare the 2 flights.

WHY?:

With the curved shape of a wing, the air flowing over the wing is thinner. The air flowing under the wing is thicker. Therefore, the force of the thicker air allows the object to attain flight.

ASSESSMENT: Can the student communicate what they observed?

4....Student is able to communicate that the air flow over the top of the curved wing surface is faster and the air flow below the wing is slower thus producing differences in pressure that cause lift.

3....Student is able to communicate that the air flow over the wing is different on the top and the bottom and that this difference, provides the lift for the object.

2....Student is able to communicate that the air flow over the top and bottom of the wing is different.

1....Student is only able to communicate the air lifts the wing.

CURRICULUM LINK IDEAS:

MATH:

Angle of Attack: Frisbee angle is very important for a successful flight. Vary the angle and record frisbee performance by measuring heights and distance. A good hands-on practice with angles!

LANGUAGE ARTS:

Sports Caster: Radio announcers make events come alive. Imagine that you are a radio announcer. Describe what you saw as the flying frisbee came to life. Make the event seem vivid to your listeners. Use adverbs to tell how, when, and where the action takes place. Present your broadcast for your classmates. Have your audience discuss whether they could visualize the action.

Putting Facts In Order: Look up information about a scientist whose discovery helped change the world. Find out when and where the person was born. Then design a calendar page for the month in which the discovery was made. Add a caption that names the scientist, the discovery, the date, place of birth, and their birth date

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Roman Roots: As far as we can tell, the Romans were the first to play with frisbee type objects called "discus". These were not light hollowed out objects as we have now. Have students research about these objects and their specific flight characteristics. How do they fly better than "shot puts". Find the distance records for frisbee, shot put and discus.

Australian Airflight: As an extension to the study of frisbees, shot put and discus, have students determine what Australia' s famous flying objects: boomerangs! Compare the boomerangs of Australia with the frisbee.

Origins of Frisbee: Frisbees were invented by college students who were throwing pie pans at each other. What inventions could your students think of as a new flying object or toy?

VISUAL/ PERFORMING ARTS:

Paper Plate Designs: Purchase thick Chinette plates for the entire class. Have the students draw various designs on their plates. Plates are substituted for frisbees. Have students observe what happens to the design on your frisbee as it soars through the air.

Movie, "The Frisbee Disc Video" (Pentagraph Productions): Many people have enjoyed the thrill of the frisbee as they watch it soar and glide through the air. This video will show the aerodynamics of the frisbee. It will demonstrate the unique mobility of the frisbee and how through various throws, the frisbee can move in different ways.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION:

More Fun with Frisbees: Adapt familiar games that may usually use balls as the main source of equipment and substitute them for Frisbees. Ideas include: Frisbee Softball, Frisbee Golf, and Frisbee 3 Flies Up!

LITERATURE LINKS:

A Dog's Book of Birds

Author: Peter Parnall

Publisher: Scribner's,1977.

Grade Level: K-8

Synopsis:

A wide variety of birds are presented in short, quick phrases from a dog's viewpoint.

Hawk, I'm Your Brother

Author: Byrd Baylor

Publisher: Aladdin, 1986.

Grade Level: 3-8

Synopsis:

This poem tells the story of Native American boy who attempts to tame a fledgling hawk. The boy finally realizes that a wild hawk must be free to fly on his own.

Nicky The Nature Detective

Author: Ulf Svedberg; illustrated by Lena Anderson

Publisher: New York: R & S Books/ Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1983

Grade Level: 3-8

Synopsis:

Nicky loves to explore the changes in nature. She watches a red maple tree and all the creatures and plants that live on or near the tree through the seasons of the year. Her discoveries lead her to look carefully at the structure of a nesting place, why birds migrate, where butterflies go in the winter and much more. This book is packed with information.

On the Frontier with Mr. Audubon

Author: Barbara Brenner

Publisher: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, 1977

Grade Level: 6-9

Synopsis:

Based on an unedited diary of 1820-26, this fictionalized journal tells of Joseph Mason, a 13 yr.old assistant who really traveled with John J. Audubon for 18 months. The work gives a detailed account of their daily life, hunting, drawing birds and their habitats, a stay at a plantation, and travel by flatboat, keelboat, and steamer. Black and white illustrations include reproductions of paintings and drawings by Audubon and other artists of his day.

On the Wing: The Life of Birds from Feathers to Flight

Author: Bruce Brooks

Publisher: Scribner's. 1989

Grade Level: 6-12

Synopsis:

These essays about the lives of birds are beautifully written and accompanied by photographs.

Rainbow Crow: A Lenape Tale

Author: Nancy Van Laan; illustrated by Beatriz Vidal

Publisher: New York: Alfred A Knopf, 1989.

Grade Level: K-3

Synopsis:

When the weather brings a long period of snow, the animals become worried and decide to send a messenger to the Great Sky Spirit to ask him to stop it. The most beautiful bird, brightly colored Rainbow Crow (Raven) offers to make the long journey and is rewarded with the gift of fire which he carries in his beak. Forever after, he has a hoarse cry and blackened feathers, but with tiny rainbows of color.

Outstanding illustrations, as well.

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

Author: Eleanor Coerr; illustrated by Ronald Himler

Publisher: New York: Dell Books, 1977

Grade Level: 3-6

Synopsis:

In this true story, a young Japanese girl is dying of leukemia as a result of radiation from the bombing of Hiroshima. According to a Japanese tradition, if she could fold 1,000 paper cranes, the gods would grant her a wish and make her well. But, she had folded only 644 paper cranes before she died. In her honor, a Folded Crane Club was organized and each year on August 6, members place thousands of paper cranes beneath her statue to celebrate Peace Day. The moving story can introduce a class origami project to make 1,000 cranes or other origami figures, and of course, connects to social studies and current events.

The Paper Airplane Book

Author: Seymour Simon; illustrated by Byron Barton

Publisher: New York: Viking Press, 1971.

Grade Level: 3-8

Synopsis:

A user-friendly book on the aerodynamics of airplanes, complete with instructions on how to construct each type.

What Is A Bird?

Author: Ron Hirschi

Publisher: Walker, 1987.

Grade Level: K-3

Synopsis:

Color photographs introduce a variety of activities common to birds and in this way defines birds for young children. The sequel is "Where do Birds Live?".