Fun with Flying Monkeys
In my house, if it can be launched through the air, it probably will be. I'm constantly listening for the sound of a crash because once it's discovered that "x" can be propelled through the air, it will be launched over and over and over again... until something (or someone) gets hit. Just last night, it was discovered that a "koosh" ball 
Are you that way? Do you love throwing things through the air and seeing if you can get just the right angle, just the right amount of pullback, just the right release motion to send something flying farther than it has before?
If so, you won't want to miss the new Make Monkeys Fly in the Blink of an Eye aerodynamics project (Difficulty: 3-4). In this science project, you can explore the science at work with each launch of the monkey.
When you pull back the rubber band mechanism, you create potential energy which is stored in the stretched band until the moment you let go. When you let go, the energy changes to kinetic energy, and the monkey flies. How far will it fly? Manufacturers say "flingshots" can travel around 50 feet. Can you reach that? What you'll explore in this project is how you can maximize your flight—using science.
Not feeling the monkey love? There are a range of screaming, flying animals
This project can be fun, but you'll also learn a lot about energy and motion!
Categories:
You Might Also Enjoy these Previous Entries:
- Can Aerodynamic Suits Give U.S. Speed Skaters an Edge?
- Put a Heart Health Spin on Valentine's Day
- Classroom Science for Flu Season
- Super Bowl Science and the Fluor Challenge
- Count Down to Winter Break with Creative STEM
- Spark Interest in Computer Science
- Student Biomedical Engineering Projects with Real-world Connections
- An App for Science Class
