Keep It Up Challenge

       This week's challenge was to use paper, scissors, tape, paper clips, and/or rubber bands to keep a piece of paper aloft as long as possible. Some students definitely veered towards airplane designs, but some student tried creating parachutes, small pieces that float on their own, large pieces that catch the air as they drop, and by the end, even a couple helicopters.

       Afterwards, we watched some clips on the sports science of paper airplanes and tosses, a world record throw from Japan, and how to create a helicopter with a small piece of paper. We ended the period with some free design and play with some still trying to connect three helicopters together with paper clips (with no success).

       Be sure to look at some of the photos and short clips of the helicopters in action at the bottom.