Wind Tunnel
Use the engineering design process to design, test and redesign aerodynamic contraptions in a wind tunnel.
In this activity, youth explore the challenges of designing various aerodynamic contraptions.
Learning Objectives
- Youth will be able to identify components of aerodynamic contraptions.
- Youth will be able to identify differences between contraptions that accomplish different goals
- Youth will be able to develop, test, and refine a design
Materials:
- For wind tunnel setup:
- Wind tunnel
- Extension cords, if needed
- For activity:
- Coffee filters
- Strawberry baskets
- Plastic cups
- Toilet paper rolls
- Pool noodles, cut into 1” sections
- String
- Plastic bags, cut into 4” squares
- Crepe paper, cut into 3-4” strips
- Pipe cleaners
- Card stock or other stiff paper, cut into fourths
- Small weights-army men, large beads, plastic animals o Masking tape
- Scissors