CATAPULT LAUNCHED GLIDER WORKSHOP

Course Information

Gliders are graceful non-powered planes that take off in the air with a simple thrust. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to more in-depth aerodynamics varying across age groups. In groups, they will use the hot wire cutter to cut the airfoil shapes of the wings and design the other parts of the planes. The trainer will then guide them to build up and assemble the plane. 


They will test flight the plane on a catapult launcher. The groups will evaluate the flight performances and learn how to modify and improve on designs. Workshop will conclude with a mini competition where the participants whose plane flies the furthest will be rewarded by encouragement prizes.


Course Specifications

Key takeaways

Duration

Age group

Venue required

Room with tables and chairs for building, Field or Open space for testing of gliders.

Teaching Language 

Course Structure

  • Theory on basic aerodynamics - 30 mins
  • Design of glider (Indoors) - 30 mins
  • Fabrication of glider (Indoors) - 6 hours
  • Test Flight of glider (Outdoors) - 1 hour

6 - 8 hours

9 years old and above

Parent-child available

English | Mandarin available

**Each participant will take home one glider**

  1. Introductory flight principles, different types of airfoils, flight trajectories
  2. Essential factors for design of a glider
  3. Practical applications of math and science concepts through building the plane
  4. Material properties and airfoil shapes
  5. Craft work techniques – penknife, hot wire cutter, sandpaper, different types of glue
ENGINEERING


Participants will be designing the glider from scratch, deciding how each part should look like, and assembling it up. They will then learn how to trim the plane for flight performance. 

Flight science


Participants of this workshop will learn physics concepts like kinetic energy, four forces of flight, Newton's law of motions, flight trajectory, .center of gravity.

STEM ELEMENTS

The program is very interesting. Trainers are very well equipped with knowledge.
They are very helpful and kind and gave very detailed instructions.


Student, Siglap Secondary School


STUDENT FEEDBACK