This quick maker activity for elementary-aged students is perfect for sparking creativity and critical thinking with minimal prep.

Concept: Students will design and build a “flying object” using non-traditional materials, challenging their assumptions about what makes something fly.

Time: 10-15 minutes

Materials (provide a small, limited selection for each student or group):

• Something to connect/fasten:3-4 pipe cleaners
• 2-3 small paper clips
• 1-2 rubber bands
• Small piece of tape (1-2 inches)
• Something to make “wings” or “body”:2-3 cotton balls
• 1 index card (cut into smaller pieces if desired by student)
• 2-3 craft sticks (Popsicle sticks)
• A small piece of aluminum foil (approx. 6×6 inches)
• Optional (for testing): A designated “launch zone” or open space.

Instructions

1. The Challenge: Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to create something that can fly!
2. The Twist: You cannot use regular paper for your main flying object. You must use at least three different materials from the pile provided.
3. Design & Build (7-10 minutes): Use the materials to design and buildyour flying object. Think about what makes an airplane fly – but don’tlimit yourself to an airplane shape!
4. Test & Observe (2-3 minutes): Once you’re done, gently launch yourcreation. What did it do? Did it fly far? Did it glide? Did it spin?
5. Reflect (1-2 minutes): What did you learn about making things fly? What worked well? What would you change next time?