DIY Friday: Wind Engineer Project #3

Up, Up and Away!

We couldn't possibly pass up the opportunity to make kites -- because Spiderman absolutely loves kites!

NASA has a super easy version of our kite. Theirs in a bit smaller and uses straws, rather than wood sticks/dowels/skewers, like the ones we made. Get the NASA instructions HERE.

The Experimental Aviation Association has their own instructions for a sled kite. We more or less followed their instructions, with minor materials substitutions. Not only do they have great Sled Kite instructions, they also have a bunch of other cool activities to try! See for yourself HERE.

Here is one of the three kites we made; almost ready to go -- just waiting on the tails.

And here is Spiderman's kite - flying high!

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These sled kites are awesome, because they are easy to make -- and easy to fly.

The little voyagers give them six thumbs up!

Adding Wind to the Weather

From DIY.org

Wind Engineer
 

Wind Engineers have changed the world, first with great sailing ships and now with renewable energy. By experimenting with fluid dynamics and aerodynamics, Wind Engineers have invented ways of harnessing a powerful force, through sails, kites, and turbines.

Since the wind is really part of the weather, the little voyagers will be working on this badge, along with the meteorologist badge mentioned last week. They can't wait to make pinwheels and fly kites!

There are some great kite-themed books out there to set the stage for this badge, and we plan to read several of them:

 From Amazon.com

The wind is blowing. It is a good day for kites! The whole family makes a trip to the local craft store for paper, glue, and paint. Everyone has a job: Ma-Ma joins sticks together. Ba-Ba glues paper. Mei-Mei cuts whiskers while Jie-Jie paints a laughing mouth. Dragon eyes are added and then everyone attaches the final touch . . . a noisemaker! Now their dragon kite is ready to fly.

Kite Flying celebrates the Chinese tradition of kite making and kite flying and lovingly depicts a family bonded by this ancient and modern pleasure.

From Amazon.com

Curious George loves a good windy day. There are many things he can practice flying—like a kite. Now if only he doesn’t get too carried away! This early reader explores the concepts of flight and experimentation.

From Amazon.com

Ten-year-old Ben Franklin finds working in his father's candle shop boring -- he'd much rather be doing experiments. He can't wait to try out his latest idea. With nothing but a simple kite, can Ben get across the pond -- without swimming a single stroke?

This book from Amazon.com is a MathStart book, and teaches symmetry. We might have to use this for one of the little voyagers group math lessons! Here is the blurb, to see more go to the link; it includes activities like making paper snowflakes:

When Bob and Hannah split something, the two pieces had better be symmetrical--exactly the same. But to fly their kite, they'll have to learn something new--cooperation!

From Amazon.com

And finally, a book with step-by-step instructions for making kites! Since our little voyagers vary in ages from 3 to almost 8, this looks like the perfect book. The reviews are very positive.

That's it for now; gotta fly!