Balance & Motion
Investigation 2
Part 3
Twirlers
Students make two types of “Twirlers” (flying spinners that rotate because of air resistance). The first type of Twirler is made using soda straws with wings attached, and the second type, a Twirly Bird, is made using paper and paper clips.
3. Lesson set up and Management
Forces to Explain Motion:
Investigate and recognize factors that determine the effects of a push or pull on the motion of objects. (CH01 1.3.2)
Variations in design can influence the rotational motion of spinning objects.
Air resistance can act as the force that initiates rotational motion.
3. Lesson set up and Management
Materials:
Per student:
1 Jumbo Straw
1 Paper Clip
Transparent Tape
Scissors
1 Student Sheet called Twirly Wings
1 Student Sheet called Twirly Birds
Student Management:
Students may have difficulty noticing the difference between the lines to cut out and the lines to fold. You may want to precut the pieces for the Twirly Bird.
Students may want to stand on chairs to drop their Twirly Birds.
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Cut the one half inch in the jumbo straws well ahead of the lesson.
Teachers may want to cut apart the two different Twirler wings for their students.
Writing Support:
None for this lesson.
Reading Support:
“Things that Spin” in the FOSS Balance & Motion - Science Stories book, page 14.