in Airplanes & Space

DIY Flying Bugs STEM Project for Kids

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DIY Flying Bugs STEM Project for Kids

This STEM project is a lot of fun to make and play with when you’re done! In this video, your kids will learn about gravity and balance as they build a helix and an apparatus with bugs that fly all the way down.

Materials:

  • Cardboard tube
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Paper
  • Markers
  • Rubber bands
  • Small toys (such as bugs or beads)

Instructions:

  1. Cut the cardboard tube in half.
  2. Tape the two halves of the tube together to form a helix.
  3. Cut out a piece of paper that is the same width as the helix and long enough to wrap around it.
  4. Draw a spiral on the paper.
  5. Tape the paper to the helix.
  6. Attach rubber bands to the top and bottom of the helix.
  7. Put the small toys inside the helix.
  8. Hold the helix at the top and let go. The toys will fly down the helix!

Tips:

  • Make sure the helix is tightly wound so that the toys don’t fall out.
  • Use different weights and sizes of toys to see how they affect the speed of the toys.
  • Try different ways of attaching the rubber bands to the helix.
  • Have fun!

This STEM project is a great way for kids to learn about gravity and balance. It’s also a lot of fun to make and play with!