Finished Roto-copter

STREAM Activity: Roto-copter

Activity best for children ages three and up

Create a roto-copter: the air pushing up against the slanted blades will make your copter spin as gravity brings it to the ground.

MATERIALS

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Use your markers or crayons to decorate the rotocopters before you cut them out.

Decorated roto-copter

STEP 2

Cut along the solid lines and fold along the dotted lines.

Finished Roto-copter

STEP 3

Add a little weight at the bottom with a paperclip. What happens when you add more weight or less weight?

STEP 4

Toss your rotocopter in the air and watch it spin to the ground. Try the different sizes provided. Is there one that flies better than the others?

STEP 5

Experiment with other ways to change your copters:

  • Make your blades longer or shorter.
  • Make your blades wider or more narrow.
  • Cut the copter out with wavy or zigzag edges.
  • Make the blades curved instead of rectangular.
  • Can you design your own with other materials?