Alpha science classroom：DIY Rubber Band Powered Helicopter

Do airplanes soar in the sky because of their wings? The children are full of questions about this issue. Today, Alpha science classroom teaches children DIY Rubber Band Powered Helicopter, through this interesting children's physical science experiment activity, for children to reveal the mystery of aircraft flight, while solving the problem of lift and gravity, hope that children can learn the above knowledge from this kid's science experiment! We hope that children will learn the above knowledge from this children's science experiment and make their own exclusive airplane!

Alpha Science Classroom: DIY rubber band powered helicopter, production materials

• Plastic propeller

• 1 small popsicle stick

• 3 rubber bands

• Masking tape

• 1 paper clip

• Construction paper (cut into symmetrical shapes)

• A small straw for stirring

Alpha science classroom：DIY rubber band powered helicopter, production steps

Step 1: Hang the hook

First, children bend the bottom paperclip at an acute angle to line up with the bottom of the popsicle stick, then secure it with masking tape. Be sure it is securely fastened, as this paperclip will need to withstand the gravity of the rubber band.

Step 2: Build the construction paper

The children then cut the construction paper into symmetrical shapes roughly the width of the propeller. It may seem that the thin paper is unnecessary, but this step is actually necessary to prevent the center from rotating and allowing the helicopter to fly. Feel free to cut it into any shape you want as long as it does not interfere with the top of the helicopter.

Tape the paper to the popsicle stick. Make sure you put the tape on the side with the paperclip (see photo), as this will prevent the rubber band from hitting the paper.

Step 3: Add Reinforcements

Because no straws were added, the helicopter can still fly, but I found that it works better with the extra stability. Attach the small stirring straws to the back of the paper. For best results, stick it in three places. The straw helps to hold the paper outward better so it doesn't bend in flight.

Step 4: Finish the model

The children secure the plastic propeller to the top of the popsicle stick. It should fit snugly on the top of a normal small-size popsicle stick. Finally, hook your three rubber bands on a paper clip and attach them to the hooks on the plastic propeller. The number of rubber bands you use can vary depending on the thickness of the rubber band, but for normal-sized rubber bands, I found that three rubber bands worked best.

Step 5: How to fly

For kids to fly the plane, simply twist the propeller to tighten the rubber bands. It only works when you twist it in a certain direction, and you have to twist it clockwise, looking down from above. A good way to know when to stop twisting is once the band starts rolling on itself. When the full length of the band is made up of these little bumps, you should be all done. Once it is twisted enough, hold the propeller and bottom steady, put it up, and let go of both. It should quickly fly upwards and then come back down. Success!

Alpha science classroom：DIY rubber band powered helicopter，Scientific Principles

In this engineering principles project, we had to create a rotor-powered device that could fly like a helicopter. There are many considerations in designing a helicopter. First, there are four forces acting on the helicopter. There is lift, which is the force pulling upward, weight, which is the gravitational force pulling downward, and then thrust and drag, which are the forces pulling the helicopter forward and backward.

The plane can fly because of the help of lift, and the child's plane also flew successfully. This is the magical power of children's physical science experiments. Children who also want to know the mysteries of flying can pay attention to the Alpha Science Classroom to bring more interesting kid's science experiments to the children and unlock the mysteries of the world for them.

Alpha science toys have prepared many physical science experiment kits for children, to unravel the scientific mysteries behind more phenomena in physics for children, to help children learn magical physics and become the greatest scientists.