Hi teacher friends,
I’ve been busy creating a series of STEM projects for students who are studying Medieval Times…. Next stop, The Renaissance!
Challenge 1: Leonardo da Vinci’s Flying Machine!
Leonardo Da Vinci was, by some historians, said to be obsessed with the idea of flight. He had numerous designs and models that he created to try and get humans flying above the surface of the Earth. Most of his designs were centered around the way birds use their wings to fly. These designs usually tried to mimic the anatomy of a bird and would utilize a flapping motion of giant wing structures to create both lift and propulsion.
Here’s the Flying Machine STEM Challenge:
Using a list of supplies, STEM teams must design and build a flying machine. Using their
knowledge of the Laws of Motion and 4 Forces of Flight, students must create a
innovative machine that applies those laws and forces. STEM teams have 3 trials to test
their flying machines. If the machine does not fly, that does not mean the team has lost
the challenge. The goal of the challenge is to incorporate as many ideas and concepts
from the forces of flight and to be able to justify the decisions made in their product
creation. (**scroll down to the bottom of the post for listed materials and guides!!)
Challenge 2: Anemometer Challenge!
An anemometer is an instrument that is used to measure wind speed. Some anemometer devices can also measure the
wind direction. During the Renaissance, Leon Battista Alberti created the first mechanical anemometer to measure the speed of wind. The instrument he designed in 1450 consisted of a disk
located perpendicular to the wind. Leonardo da Vinci also made variations on Alberti’s design so it could measure wind force more easily.
Here’s the Anemometer STEM Challenge:
Using a list of supplies, students must design an anemometer that accurately measures wind speed. They must be able to measure how many spins the device makes per minute by marking one of the revolving cups. They have one hour to complete this challenge. (time testing their anemometer does not count towards the hour).
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