Paper Glider Challenge

Students learned about new technologies and inventions during the Westward Expansion time period which ties to our overarching concepts of transitions. In 1852, Mechanics' Magazine had an article about Sir George Cayley's glider which led to a discussion about him and his flying machines.

Sir George Cayley, 6th Baronet was an English engineer and is possibly one of the most important people in the history of aeronautics. Many consider him to be the first scientific aerial investigator to understand the underlying principles and forces of flight. 

The intermediate classes were given a challenge to construct a paper glider that was capable of carrying a toy soldier that flew the farthest without the toy soldier falling out. The glider should have a set of wings and a tail.

Materials:

-- Computer Paper or Construction Paper

--Glue, Tape, and/or Staples

--Scissors (if needed)

--Toy Soldier (black wooden domino)

There were many different designs!

Testing how well the paper gliders flew

The intermediate classes with their paper gliders!

Westward Expansion Timeline

This year we have created timelines in many formats. Recently the intermediate classes worked together to determine the order of events during Westward Expansion to create a timeline. Students used their knowledge of the order of dates to help them determine where each event fit into the timeline.

Students become more actively engaged in learning the sequence of events when they are constructing the timeline with others. 

Our classes decided it was best to line up in order to put the timeline on display!