Three one-hour workshops for 3rd/4th graders

Hi,

I agreed to do three one-hour workshops for one group of 10 third and
fourth graders (the same children for all three weeks.) The workshops
are during school and will be in a classroom (or outside), visiting
the airport is not feasible. They will be GA focused (although billed
as the "Wonder of Flight).

Now I need to plan the workshops, and I'm asking for suggestions for
activities, with pointers to details if possible. I could easily
lecture for three hours straight, but that's not going to work with
ten 9-year old boys (most likely).

Here are a few of the things I plan to do:

1) I'll bring in variety of airplane parts (prop, cylinder, piston,
instruments, and whatever else I can get.) I'll have the kids sketch
them, which means they'll study the details more. Then we'll figure
out what the details are for (what do the fins on the cylinders do,
for example?)

2) I'll probably start each session by listening to the local ATIS on
the handheld (and perhaps by calling WX-BRIEF for the recording if I
have a speaker phone) and making a go/no-go decision based on the
weather (and maybe I'M SAFE.) That will lead us to learning a bit
about weather.

3) If I can make a crude wind-tunnel with a window fan and build
airfoils to learn something, I'll do so (any suggestions or experience
here would be helpful)

4) We'll make the equivalent of balsa-wood airplanes with cereal-box
cardboard (I don't have the nerve to really use balsa and the sharp
knives required.) I tried cardboard planes at home, and they can fly
pretty well if properly balanced, and they really demonstrate the
downside of an aft CG if not.

5) There will be a chart session with old sectionals (they'll plan a
route somewhere, figure out the heading, look for obstructions, etc.)

6) I may have a hang glider pilot bring in his kite.

Suggestions for other feasible activities or materials you are aware
of?

Thanks for your help.

III wrote:
....

Now I need to plan the workshops, and I'm asking for suggestions for
activities,

Model aircraft Clubs often do this sort of thing, so you might get some
good ideas from them, if you can contact a club in you area. (Links
below, to find clubs).

A club may also be able to provide some resources, such as small scale
airfoils, propellors, even scale-like engines. If you get real lucky
and find someone who designs, you might even find a scale wind-tunnel.

Most model stuff is non-scale, but a lot is. The Cessna Skylane is
popular by builders so it might be relatively easy to find one for a
static display.

If you cannot visit the airport, but there is a reasonably open park
nearby, a member might be able to demonstrate flight with a
rubber-powered or electric-powered "small-field" model, if that would be
useful for your goals.

List of clubs can be found at:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/templat...4C3A316A4F7CC9
http://www.maac.ca/zones/clubs/clubs_a.html


Good luck...

Having worked with kids this age coaching a variety of sports I'll
offer two pieces of advice

1) Don't go in there alone. Try to break the kids up into groups.
If there are things to touch (plastic props, etc) ensure each kid has
one in his hand at the same time to avoid fighting. Keep the groups
small (3-4 at a time) to keep interest up.
2) Do not allow for any idle time. These guys will find something to
do and you won't like it.
3) You'll need to walk in with some authority about you (stand tall,
speak confident). Little boys have a weakness radar. If they detect
authority is not clear, they will play "king of the hill" and start to
run the show. The girls will just feel sorry for you.
4) Try to keep things as physical as possible. These guys have a lot
of energy and about a 15 minute attention span. You'll want to include
some running around outside. Never stay on any topic more than 15
minutes.



(III) wrote in message . com...
Hi,

I agreed to do three one-hour workshops for one group of 10 third and
fourth graders (the same children for all three weeks.) The workshops
are during school and will be in a classroom (or outside), visiting
the airport is not feasible. They will be GA focused (although billed
as the "Wonder of Flight).

Now I need to plan the workshops, and I'm asking for suggestions for
activities, with pointers to details if possible. I could easily
lecture for three hours straight, but that's not going to work with
ten 9-year old boys (most likely).

Here are a few of the things I plan to do:

1) I'll bring in variety of airplane parts (prop, cylinder, piston,
instruments, and whatever else I can get.) I'll have the kids sketch
them, which means they'll study the details more. Then we'll figure
out what the details are for (what do the fins on the cylinders do,
for example?)

2) I'll probably start each session by listening to the local ATIS on
the handheld (and perhaps by calling WX-BRIEF for the recording if I
have a speaker phone) and making a go/no-go decision based on the
weather (and maybe I'M SAFE.) That will lead us to learning a bit
about weather.

3) If I can make a crude wind-tunnel with a window fan and build
airfoils to learn something, I'll do so (any suggestions or experience
here would be helpful)

4) We'll make the equivalent of balsa-wood airplanes with cereal-box
cardboard (I don't have the nerve to really use balsa and the sharp
knives required.) I tried cardboard planes at home, and they can fly
pretty well if properly balanced, and they really demonstrate the
downside of an aft CG if not.

5) There will be a chart session with old sectionals (they'll plan a
route somewhere, figure out the heading, look for obstructions, etc.)

6) I may have a hang glider pilot bring in his kite.

Suggestions for other feasible activities or materials you are aware
of?

Thanks for your help.