Sixth Grade, Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics Projects, Lessons, Activities (Page 4)

Archimedes Squeeze: At What Diameter Does an Aluminum Boat Sink?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Where do you get your best ideas? At school with your friends? When you are out for a bike ride? Over 2,200 years ago, a scientist named Archimedes got one of his best ideas when he sat down in his bath. Eureka! He went running through the streets without even bothering with his clothes. What was he so excited about? He had discovered that when objects, like his body, are placed in water, water is pushed out of the way. Have you noticed that, too? The weight of the water that is pushed out of… Read more

DIY Mini Drone: Altitude Control Circuit

STEM Activity

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How do you make a drone fly up and down? In this activity, you will build a simple circuit to control the altitude of a popsicle stick drone. See this page for a complete list of our mini drone projects. You may wish to do the projects in order. Read more

Drone Control with an Analog Joystick

STEM Activity

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How do you steer a drone using a controller with a joystick? Find out in this activity as you program an Arduino to interface with an analog joystick, similar to those found in most video game controllers. You can use the joystick to make a mini popsicle stick drone tilt side to side or move up and down. See this page for a complete list of our mini drone projects. You may wish to do the projects in order. Read more

How Does the Number of Parachutes Affect Terminal Velocity?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you ever wondered how astronauts land safely back on Earth? Many spaceships use a small crew capsule with multiple large parachutes to bring the astronauts down to a gentle landing either on the ground or in the ocean. What happens if one or more of the parachutes fails to deploy? Can the astronauts still land safely? Find out as you explore the physics of falling with parachutes in this project. Read more

Modifying a Car for Better Aerodynamics

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you ever seen those cool wind tunnel pictures of cars with streams of smoke blowing over them? You do not need access to a wind tunnel to do a car aerodynamics science project! In this project you will use cheap, readily available materials—tape and yarn—to visualize airflow over a car. You will examine how you can affect the airflow over the car by making changes, like adding or removing accessories or making body modifications out of cardboard and duct tape. Maybe you can… Read more

Aluminum Foil Boat Design: Surviving the Stormy Seas

Lesson Plan Grade: 6th-8th

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People have used boats to transport things around the world for thousands of years. Unfortunately, those boats can be vulnerable to stormy seas and they can capsize. This lesson expands on the classic "aluminum foil boat" project. Normally, students would build a boat from a sheet of aluminum foil and see how much weight it can hold—in still water—before sinking. In this project, they will find out how well their boats hold up to waves! Read more

NGSS Performance Expectations:

MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
MS-ETS1-2. Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
MS-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
MS-ETS1-4. Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.

Does Weight Affect a Drone's Battery Life?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Drones—also called quadcopters or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—are an increasingly popular toy for hobbyists. Some companies even want to use them for business purposes, like delivering packages right to your doorstep! However, drones typically have a rather short battery life. Does the added weight of a package affect a drone's battery life? Try this project to find out! Read more

Study Bottle Rocket Performance with Electronic Sensors

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Rocket design and operation is a fascinating field and analyzing the flight path provides insight into the rocket's performance. In this project, you will take measurements of the flight path to evaluate how a change in the rocket design or launch procedure impacts the rocket's performance. Initially, while the bottle rocket expels water (or the rocket expels exhaust), the rocket gets a boost. This push is referred to as thrust and projects the rocket forward. Earth's gravity pulls the rocket… Read more

The Aerodynamics of Flying a Frisbee

STEM Activity

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Are you good at tossing a Frisbee? Have you ever wondered how a Frisbee is able to fly through the air so well? If you can throw a perfect, arcing curve, right on target, you have already trained your arm on the aerodynamics of Frisbee flight! In this science activity, you will investigate how the angle at which you throw the Frisbee affects its flight's direction and distance. Next time you are out tossing a Frisbee, this little lesson in aerodynamics may help make your throws be even… Read more

The 'Ultimate' Science Fair Project: Frisbee Aerodynamics

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Are you good at tossing a Frisbee®? It is great when you throw a perfect, arcing curve, right on target! If you can do that, you have already trained your arm on the aerodynamics of Frisbee flight. Why not treat your brain to some Frisbee science with this project? Read more

Sixth Grade, Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics Projects, Lessons, Activities (55 results)

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