This 2 day workshop focused on the classic tetrahedron kite created by Alexander Graham Bell. Bell’s design informed the development of powered flight and is rich with lessons in physics, aerodynamic, experimental design, and calculus.
Executed as a special project in Spring 2017, we engaged the entire 8th grade class of Moreno Jr. High in a fun and informative kite workshop. All 240 students were highly engaged in building of these unique flying objects. The kites were 1st constructed in modules before being assembled into a series of larger kites. On the second day, experimental flights were conducted to determine structural stability and flight capabilities of each size. The lesson led students to consider natural forces like wind and gravity, weather patterns, engineering and design, and an introduction to calculus.
