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Build and fly a rubber band powered helicopter.
Understand how their helicopters work.

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For the class, prepare:

6\" hook nose propellers
Craft sticks
Paperclips
Rubberbands
Cardstock
Masking tape
Scissors

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Have all the materials ready and accessible to students.

Students will need space to fly their helicopters.

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Introduce to students that they will be creating their own helicopters!
To begin, tell students to pull the inside bent piece apart from the rest of the paper clip.
Next, have students hold the paperclip against the craft stick with the tip of the thumb, then tightly wrap a piece of tape around it.
Advise students that the paper cutout is crucial; it’s what makes the copter work. Cutouts that are about 1.5” by 7” made from cardstock work really well. Challenge them to be more creative with their helicopter’s body - maybe a butterfly, or another unusual shape.
Have the students attach the cutout on the opposite side of the exposed paperclip - this will help ensure that the rubber band won’t rub against it.
Let students put their finger inside 2 rubber bands and stretch them. The taut rubber bands should easily slip into the propeller hook and paperclip.
Students have made their helicopters!
Take students outside or to an area with lots of space.
Allow students to fly their helicopters for some time.
- For some, flying the helicopter is more challenging than building it. First of all, the helicopter must be wound up enough. Twist the rubber band until it because completely coiled, and keep going. Notice that the rubber band begins to form a second set.
- Tell students to look out for twists that are bulkier (like tight bundles of knotted rubber band). If they wind up the whole length of the rubber band with the other double-twisted rubber band, then it probably has enough energy.
- To fly, students must hold the top of the propeller and the bottom of the craft stick near the paperclip. For a stable and high-reaching flight, they must let go of the top first and then the bottom within half of a second of each other. A helpful trick is to say, “tick tock,” as you let go of the top and the bottom of the helicopter.
Bring everyone together and return to the classroom.
Explain to students how their helicopters work:
- Energy is stored in the sport rubber by winding the propeller.
- When flown, the rubberband rapidly releases its energy by unwinding, which turns both the propeller blade and the paper cutout.
- The paper cutout pushes against the surrounding air, which creates horizontal air resistance, or drag. This makes it harder for the cutout to spin. Because the cutout does not spin as easily, more energy from the rubber band is released into the propeller, which is much easier to turn. In this way, the paper acts like the rear rotor of a real helicopter.
- As the propeller spins rapidly, it begins to create lift by pushing air downward. With enough energy, the helicopter will fly in whatever direction it is pointing.
To end the activity, have a final discussion with students about what they learned, observed and thought about their helicopters.

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With winter afoot, during a school year like no other, are you looking for fun, healthy and restorative activities you can share with children and youth?

23 Days of Fun, Healthy and Creative Activities for December offers just that.

From “Action Packed ABC” for younger children and “Dance, Dance, Dance” for middle school kids, to “Mindfulness” for teens, this weekday December calendar shares art, music, yoga, social emotional learning, and indoor and outdoor projects and games to help kids feel better.

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Rubber Band Helicopter

Rubber Band Helicopter

Rubber Band Helicopter

Overview