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Investigate Lift, Drag, and Thrust Science Projects (25 results)

Investigate lift, drag, and thrust to design better flying objects or predict flight. Learn about creating better lift, the force that pushes up on the wings of something that flies. Or work on generating thrust to combat drag, what pulls flying objects back.

How Far Will It Fly? Build & Test Paper Planes with Different Drag
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Just one sheet of paper can lead to a whole lot of fun. How? Paper planes! All you have to know is how to fold and you can have a simple plane in a matter of minutes! But what design should you use to build the best plane? In this aerodynamics science project, you will change the basic design of a paper plane and see how this affects its flight. Specifically, you will increase how much drag the plane experiences and see if this changes how far the paper plane flies. There is a lot of cool… Read more
Make a "Whirlybird" from Paper
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Have you ever seen a maple seed twirling as it falls through the air? In this project you will build something that behaves similarly called a whirlybird. Will your whirlybird be able to stay in the air as you add paper clips as weights? Try this project to find out! Read more
Butterfly Wings: Using Nature to Learn About Flight
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Have you ever seen butterflies fluttering around outside, gliding through the air and landing on flowers? While they are delicate and fragile, butterflies are actually excellent flyers. They are so good, in fact, that scientists at Harvard University studied butterfly wing shapes as an inspiration for building a miniature flying robot. In this science project, you will do your own version of the Harvard scientists' experiment to measure the flight performance of butterfly wings. Read more
Parachutes: Does Size Matter?
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
How does a parachute work? Do bigger parachutes work better than smaller parachutes? Find out in this science project if the size of the parachute matters. Read more
Take a Candle Carousel for a Spin
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Have you ever ridden on a carousel, or a merry-go-round, at an amusement park? On a carousel, you usually get to take a seat on a wooden horse or other animal that spins around and around as the carousel is turned on and powered by electricity. Another smaller type of carousel that people can have in their homes is a candle carousel, which is powered by heat from candles. In this science project, you will get to make your own candle carousel and investigate how the spinning speed of the… Read more
Model Rocket Aerodynamics: Stability
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
What keeps a model rocket on course? How can you make sure a model rocket design is stable before you launch it? Find out in this project as you learn about center of mass, center of pressure, and their effect on a rocket's stability. 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
Let's Go Fly a Kite!
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Kites have been a source of entertainment for centuries for kids from cultures around the world. In this science project you will have a chance to build your very own kite, a simple sled kite. Then you will use it to investigate how kites fly. Will you find out the best way to fly your kite? Read more
Solid Motor Rocket Propulsion
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
What does it take to launch a robot to Mars or for a satellite to explore our outer solar system? In this project you will explore the physics of a rocket as you predict its performance, launch it, and measure the actual results. This is rocket science! Read more
Why Winglets?
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Have you ever noticed how some jet planes have small, vertical projections as the tips of the wings? They're called winglets. What are they there for? Read more
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