Foam Walkalong Glider Preview

The foam gliders have come a long way since I made this video. For instructions and patterns, thin foam (or cut your own from scrap packaging foam), go here: www.sciencetoymaker.org A glider becomes a walkalong glider when you can create a wave of air and surf the glider on the wave indefinitely, which looks like magic. My middle school technology students have been making and flying paper walkalong gliders. But I’ve been searching for a walkalong glider design that’s easier to make and fly, for first-time fliers. I found it in a Wisconsin college engineering student’s work. Michael Thompson figured out how to slice ordinary white styrofoam–either recycled electronics packaging or insulation sheets from building supply stores—into very thin slices. Then he cuts and forms them into slow-flying gliders, including his famous Jagwings. Foam gliders are fast to make, slow flying–great for a starter walkalong glider. Michael sent me a glider and patiently taught me about them. Soon my students and I were making them, flying them and innovating variations, and you can too. It’s too early to make instructions yet, but here are some notes of what I’ve learned so far. Mike Thompson has agreed to make foam sheets available inexpensively. For just a few dollars you can get plenty to experiment with. His e-mail is: flyingwingbat at yahoo.com Replace the “at” with @ (I do it that way to foil spambots). His prices include postage because he can send them in an envelope, and that …
Video Rating: 4 / 5