Design & Fly a Kite
Supplies, instructions, resources, and worksheets are below!
Tetrahedral Kite
Project Description
In this STEM project, you’ll research, design, build, and fly a Tetrahedron Kite. Learn about aviation, and create a kite tetrahedron similar to the one Alexander Graham Bell invented.
Activity Time
1-2 days
Supplies Recommended
Investigative Worksheet
Scissors
Ruler
Ballpoint pen
60 plastic drinking straws
Needle with big eye (optional)
File folder or poster board
Plastic bags or tissue paper
Tape
Kite string
Learning Objectives
Better understanding of geometry
Understand that more cells in a tetrahedron kite, provides more stability
Vocabulary Terms to Understand
Look up each word and write their definition on paper.
aeronautical
aviation
prototype
vertex corner
tetrahedron
geometry
modular
pyramid
surface area
soar
triangles
cells
strength
weight
lightweight
drag
force
lift
Instructional Video
Instructions
1. Print the Investigative Worksheet and use it to document your project.
2. Watch the instructional video above for how to design your kite. There is a 2nd resource listed below that you can also read and study. Research the design of tetrahedron kites.
3. Formulate a plan to build your kite.
4. Assemble your kite.
5. Test out flying your kite, and document what happens on the Investigative Worksheet.
Questions
How high did your kite fly?
How many cells does your kite have?
Can your kite fly without a tail?
Did your kite have stability?
How can you improve your design to improve flight performance?
Resources
How to Make a Tetrahedral Kite
Make a Tetrahedral Kite (another example)
The Tetrahedral Kite: Unique, Spectacular, Mathematical
The tetrahedral kite was an early flight experiment made by the inventor of the phone, Alexander Graham Bell
Wikipedia: Tetrahedral Kite
History of Aviation
Wikipedia: Box Kite
Wikipedia: Kite Types
