Circle Gliders

To make this glider, you will need: scissors, colored construction paper or heavy paper, a ruler, a pencil, crayons or colored markers, two paper clips, a straw, and glue.

1. Cut out two strips of paper: 1 1/2″ x 11″ (4 cm x 28 cm) and 3/4″ x 11″ (2 cm x 28 cm). Use crayons or markers to decorate the strips.

2. Form the wide strip into a loop, and paper clip it to one end of the straw (see illustration).

3. Fold the narrow strip of paper in half to make a strip that is 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ (2 cm x 14 cm). Form it into a loop, glue the ends together, and secure it with a paper clip to same side of the other end of the straw (see illustration).

4. Fly the glider by gently tossing it with the smaller loop in front. Have a contest with your family or friends to see who can fly the glider the farthest. Try changing the size of the big loop. What happens? What happens when the big loop is paper-clipped on a different side of the straw?