100 Years of Flight
Site Quicklinks: These links will take you to you areas of interest in this site.
 
  • Airplanes:
    • Paper Airplanes
    • Gliders
  • Lighter than Air (Balloons etc.)
  • Rockets
  • Resources and links
  • Flight logs
  • Construction logs

Welcome to the 100 Years of Flight project page for Rising Sun schools.  This page was constructed to help honor the 100th anniversary of the Wright brother's first flight in a powered, heavier than air, piloted aircraft.  On this page you will find a number of projects that you can do.  These projects progress through a range of difficulty and over a range of different topics.  Hopefully you will find something that will inspire you to learn more about flight.
Organizational Links:These links will take you to areas of interest outside this site. 
 
  • Centenial of Flight 
  • American Modelers Association

Airplanes

Hands-on Projects Design Your Own Projects
History Projects
Paper Airplanes (Gliders)
  • Books:   There are several very good books that provide examples of paper airplanes.  Try constructing a sample of each type in the book.  From this you will learn the characteristics of planes that fly a long time, or ones that go great distances, or others that can do stunts.   (Book Links)
    • 15 points per book
    • 5 points for class demonstration of the various types
  • Websites:   The are websites that also provide plans for building paper airplanes.  explore these site and build a variety of planes for time aloft, distance or stunts. (Site Links)
    • 5 points for each plane type constructed and tested
    • 5 points for demonstrating what you have learned in class.
  • Scientific Testing:   The goal of all these projects is te develop your knowledge about flight.  One way to do this is to scientifically test the planes you build.  Start a flight log recording the type of plane, length of flights distance of flights etc.  From this make changes to improve your models. (sample flight logs)
    • 10-25 additional points for you book or webstite planes.  Based on how much testing and designing you do.
  • Design your own paper airplane: you will find after building and testing many types of paper airplanes that you will begin to make changes in the original designs to improve them.  These improvements are your own inventions.
    • 10-25 points in addition to your points recieved for books, websites and scientific testing.  This prior research will be needed to show your design is unique.
    • 5 points for showing your new design to the class.
    • 10 points drow up plans and intructions so that others can bulid your design
  • Develop a list of websites or resources: During your studies of paper airplanes keep a list of websites or information that you find. Good resources will be added to this site with credit to you.
    • 10 points in addition to you other work with paper airplanes.
  • Competitions: 
    1. Develop an airplane contest for your class or school
      • 25-50+  points  this is only limited by your determination to develop a great contest.  Get with your teacher to schedule times and places.
    2. Enter your plane in a Regional, State or National competition.
      • 25-50+  points this is only limited by your willingness to be the best you can. Bring in photos or awards to show your acomplishments.
  • Time Lines/History:   Research the history of paper airplanes that can be found in books and websites.
    1. Who built the first paper airplanes?
    2. What importance were they in the history of flight?
      • 10 points in addition to your work in constructing paper airplanes. 
      • 10 points more by provide a bibliography as part of your list of resources.
  • Photo Journal:  Find photos of the first designers or of some of the first designs.
    • 10 points or more.  The history of paper airplanes is not well documented you may have trouble finding much
    • 10 points more by providing a bibliography as part of your list of resources.
Gliders:  Gliders were constructed in some of the first attempts to accomplish human flight.  Today a wide variety of glider types can be found both as models and full size versions.
  • Styrofoam: The AMA and other groups have styrofoam glider designs that can be made out of foam plates and egg cartons. (Site Links)
    • 5 points each, download the plans and construct one of the designs
    • 5 points for demonstrating it in class
  • Hand Gliders:  WoWee toys has a styrofoam glider that is guided by air currents made by your hands.  Learn How to do this then demonstrate it to the class. Gliders can be signed out in my classes. (website instructions/videos)
    • 10 points for successfully piloting a hand glider in class.
  • Balsa Wood:  There are several companies that provide kits for making gliders.  These come in a variety of styles and comlexities.
    • 5-25+ points based on the complexity and time it takes to contruct the kit.
    • 5 points for demonstrating for the class
  • Advanced Models:  Some glider models can have wing span of several feet and can be radio controlled from the ground
    • Variable points  see me about learning to fly radio contolled in addition to construction points.
  • Full Size:  See the real thing at an airport talk to a pilot, have the pilot explain how one works.
    • 25 points for visiting an airport and talking with a pilot.  Bring a picture or a note from a parent.
    • 50 points for taking a glider flight.  Bring a picture or a note from a parent.
    • Variable  points for glider lessons at a flight training center. 
    • 50+ points 25 points
  • Contruction Log:  Keep a record of the time it takes to build a project, note observations, and hints you learn as you build the kit.  Mention shortcuts, inovations, or tips that could help you in the future.
  • Design your own paper glider: you will find after building and testing many types of paper airplanes that you will begin to make changes in the original designs to improve them.  These improvements are your own inventions.
    • 10-25 points in addition to your points recieved for books, websites and scientific testing.  This prior research will be needed to show your design is unique.  the more advanced or complex the design the more points
    • 5 points for demonstrating your new design to the class.
  • Develop a list of websites or resources: During your studies of paper airplanes keep a list of websites or information that you find. Good resources will be added to this site with credit to you.
    • 10 points in addition to you other work with paper airplanes.
  • Competitions: 
    1. Develop an airplane contest for your class or school
      • 25-50+  points  this is only limited by your determination to develop a great contest.  Get with your teacher to schedule times and places.
    2. Enter your plane in a Regional, State or National competition.
      • 25-50+  points this is only limited by your willingness to be the best you can. Bring in photos or awards to show your acomplishments.
  • Radio Contolled Flight Lessons:  There are several local clubs that provide free training in how to fly radio controlled aircraft. 
    • 5-10 points per lesson.
  • Glider Lessons
  • Historic Models: Research the early attempts at glider flight, then contruct a model of  one of the early types.
    • 15-25+ points depending on the complexity of the model
    • 10 points to show your written research 
    • 10 points for a list of resouces, books and web sites
    • 10-25 points for drwing up plans or instructionf for others to follow
Balsa wood Kits (Rubberband Powered)
  • Delta Dart
  • Right Fliers
  • Science Olympiad
  • AMA Competitions
Planes  (Electrical Powered)
  • Capacitor Planes
  • Battery powered planes
  • Free Flight
  • Radia Controlled
Planes (Gas Powered)