Summer Learning Journey With Nanogirl!

Challenge 1 - Build Something That Flies!!


This week's challenge is to build something that flies!

Can you fly?  Maybe if you go up in an aeroplane, but no matter how hard you flap your arms you probably can’t fly like a bird. So what do things need to fly?

There are 4 forces involved in the science of flight and they are: Gravity, Lift, Thrust and Drag.

Let’s build something that flies - it can be anything, just look around to see what you can re-use or re-purpose to make your flying invention.

It could be a sheet of paper to make a paper plane, or a strip of card to make a flying hoop, maybe even some sticks and a sheet of plastic or paper to make a kite!

I’ve linked some videos below so you can get some ideas but you don’t have to make them exactly the same as mine, just use whatever you can find lying around the house. 

Once you have engineered your new invention it’s time to test it!  Can you measure how far it flies using your footsteps, or how about how long it flies for using a timer on a phone or a clock? What would you change if you wanted it to fly for longer, or further? This is what an inventor does, tries something, then thinks about how they can make it better!

Once you are happy with what you have made use your webcam and screencastify to video what you have done and share your inventions and what you enjoyed about it on your blog!

I can’t wait to see your inventions and discoveries.

Videos And Instructions To Give You Ideas


Flying plane invention

Learn how to make a flying plane!

Go To Plane Invention Video

Flying kite invention

Learn how to make a flying kite!

Go To Kite Invention Video

Flying hoop invention

Learn how to make flying hoops!

Go To Hoop Invention Video