Eagle and Aspect Ratio
Bird Wings and Paper Planes
Lesson Plan by Kim Trinkle S.C. Science Standards:
8-1: The student will demonstrate an understanding of technological design and scientific inquiry, including process skills, mathematical thinking, controlled investigative design and analysis, and problem solving.
8-2.1: Explain how biological adaptations of populations enhance their survival in a particular environment. Have you ever noticed how wings of different species of birds are shaped differently? Even among birds of prey, there is much variation in wing shape, even though the function of all wings is the same: maintaining flight. In this activity, we will learn about why different species have different shaped wings. Bald Eagle Eagles: Longer, thinner wings, short tail compared to body Red-Tailed Hawk
Buteos: Shorter, fatter wings, short tail compared to body Cooper’s Hawk
Accipiters: wings very short and stubby, very long tail compared to body Peregrine Falcon
Falcons: short, tapered/bent wings, long tail compared to body
Activity
Homework (Day 1): As homework, you will build a paper plane out of the sheet of graph paper provided to you. The next day, you will bring in your plane and we will have a paper airplane contest!! There will be awards for longest flight, longest time in air, and fastest plane.
The Rules of the Contest:
1. You will be given a sheet of graph paper from which to construct your plane. You can make test planes from sheets of regular paper, but your final product needs to be constructed out of the graph paper.
2. You will also be given a paper clip and a rubber band. These are the only materials you can add to your plane! Before the contest, planes will be inspected to insure a fair contest, and any additional materials will be removed from your plane.
3. If you do not wish to add the paper clip or rubber band, you are not required to.
4. You are allowed to cut your graph paper,
Lesson Plan by Kim Trinkle S.C. Science Standards:
8-1: The student will demonstrate an understanding of technological design and scientific inquiry, including process skills, mathematical thinking, controlled investigative design and analysis, and problem solving.
8-2.1: Explain how biological adaptations of populations enhance their survival in a particular environment. Have you ever noticed how wings of different species of birds are shaped differently? Even among birds of prey, there is much variation in wing shape, even though the function of all wings is the same: maintaining flight. In this activity, we will learn about why different species have different shaped wings. Bald Eagle Eagles: Longer, thinner wings, short tail compared to body Red-Tailed Hawk
Buteos: Shorter, fatter wings, short tail compared to body Cooper’s Hawk
Accipiters: wings very short and stubby, very long tail compared to body Peregrine Falcon
Falcons: short, tapered/bent wings, long tail compared to body
Activity
Homework (Day 1): As homework, you will build a paper plane out of the sheet of graph paper provided to you. The next day, you will bring in your plane and we will have a paper airplane contest!! There will be awards for longest flight, longest time in air, and fastest plane.
The Rules of the Contest:
1. You will be given a sheet of graph paper from which to construct your plane. You can make test planes from sheets of regular paper, but your final product needs to be constructed out of the graph paper.
2. You will also be given a paper clip and a rubber band. These are the only materials you can add to your plane! Before the contest, planes will be inspected to insure a fair contest, and any additional materials will be removed from your plane.
3. If you do not wish to add the paper clip or rubber band, you are not required to.
4. You are allowed to cut your graph paper,