Zappy Zoomer

Group work and co-operation were key factors in making our science lesson a success this week.  Students worked together to make a Zappy Zoomer using the following information:

Materials

o    Cardboard

o    Bendy Straws

o    Sticky tape

o    Ruler/pencil

Instructions

o    Step One:   We Cut cardboard. For each Zoomer we needed (1) 1″ x 9 1/2″ piece and (1) 1″ x 5″ piece of cardboard

o    Step Two: We taped the card into a circle

o    Step Three:  We cut the straws just below the bend or approximately 5 1/2″ long

o    Step Four: We taped the straws to the inside edge of the big circle. We taped them roughly at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions

o    Step Five:  We taped the upper end of the straws onto the outer edge of the small circle in the same 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions.

o    Step Eight: Fly ’em!  We were able to go outside and fly these.  The students were happy to discover they could easily fly their Zappy Zoomers high and far!

Results

o    We concluded that the zoomer flew because it is light and cuts through the air.

o    Smooth, streamlined shapes allow air to flow around them easily.

o    Planes and cars are designed like this – the more streamlined they are, the faster they can go.