Balsa Wood Gliders

MATERIALS NEEDED:

  • balsa wood
  • plastic gloves
  • steel wool
  • heavy duty sandpaper
  • pencils and paper
  • paint and paint brushes (optional)
Balsa Wood Glider Movies
Click for QT movie. (230K)
Click for QT movie. (120K)

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

one Go over with the class the material that is in the Teacher's Text, emphasizing the type of glider that Lilienthal first build (the monoplane). This will be the type that the students will be making (at a much smaller scale). Also, go over the aerodynamic forces that are at play when a glider is soaring in the air.

two Talk with the students about safety when using the materials.

three Show the students pictures of a monoplane and ask them to draw one down to about 12 - 15 inches across. Help the students where needed.

four Ask the students to then draw their design onto the balsa wood. Tell them to press down hard enough with the pencil so that they can easily see the outline of the glider on the wood.

five Then ask the students to proceed with using the steel wool and heavy duty sandpaper to shape the glider. Tell them to be patient with these "tools". They will work on the balsa wood. Have the students wear plastic gloves when they are using the steel wool.

six An optional step would be for the students to paint their gliders.

seven On the following day proceed out of doors to a field where the students will have enough room to throw their gliders. Have students take turns so that they can observe their fellow classmate's gliders.

eight Return to the classroom and discuss the aerodynamic forces that are at work when the glider is soaring through the air.


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Last modified: Sun Mar 22 23:06:44 PST 1998

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