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There is an utterly simple demonstration of the Bernoulli principle
in a terrific new book, TOYS AND TALES WITH EVERYDAY MATERIALS: fold
a square of paper in half diagonally, open partway, rest it on the
kitty-corners, and blow.
I think this book is a model of how to do informal science education
with all ages and with the bare minimum of materials. Here's my
recent informal review of the book for an origami listserve:
"Less than 10 days ago, I quoted this MAKE review of Toys and Tales
with Everyday Materials, by Sudarsha Khanna, Gita Wolf, and Anushka
Ravishankar ($20 Hushion House, Tara Publishing
http://www.tarabooks.com/catalogue_youngreaders.asp):
'Written by professors at India's Toy Centre for Research, this book
is inspired by folk and vernacular toys in India. Each project has a
simple how-to for younger kids, a technical explanation for teens,
and a short essay on the politics and sociology of play for adults.
Covered in brown paper with pasted in project photos, it has a fun,
homemade feel. Whether it's a section on practical joking or a snazzy
spin toy used to show how wings work, it's a great book for getting
kids interested in playin g with materials and building things, and a
wonderful resource for anyone interested in learning how to connect
the things kids do with the workings of the world.' review by Arwen
O'Reilly, MAKE vol 08, p 175
Now I can say: The review is right on the mark--order this book! It
will solve all your holiday shopping for kids, families, and folders!
My copy arrived today by registered mail, beautifully packed (don't
throw away the wrapping--turn it into toys). I've just had a lovely
time reading it and trying out some of the toys for myself. I'll have
to keep this one for myself and order some more for the rest of the
extended family.
Part of the fun lay in figuring out what materials around my
American house to substitute for Indian materials--American thread
spools aren't the same shape as Indian thread reels, American
broomsticks are clearly much thicker than Indian broomsticks, how
stiff is "chart paper", will discarded credit cards take the place of
cards...? To encourage kids to use the book right away, I'd suggest
including some string, rubber bands, stiff recycled postcards or
playing cards, buttons, glue, cardboard tubes, erasers, corks, tape,
ping-pong balls...
For folders, here's an easy one: NAF. Take three long strips of
paper, approximately 2.5cm x 25 cm (1 x 10 inches). Fold each in half
to make a V. Interlock by sliding the flapping ends of one strip
through the closed end of another. Pull tight so three interlocked
ends form a gentle cone (not so much that you get a right-angled
corner). Some ways to play with a Naf: Balance the inner point of the
cone on the end of a blunt pencil or sodastraw and blow gently on the
loose flaps to make it turn (or blow up the straw...) Or see if you
can run with the Naf without it falling off the pencil. (I'd
add--make a bunch of Nafs and try interweaving them into new kinds of
toys. They will also make wonderful decorations for a tree or hanging
from the ceiling.)"
Karen Reeds
Guest Curator, Come into a New World: Linnaeus & America (Feb
15--June 30, 2007)
American Swedish Historical Museum, Philadelphia
http://www.americanswedish.org/
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>
>Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2006 18:12:39 EST
>From: Marc LeFebre <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: Bernoulli's Principle
>
>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
>*********************************************************************
>
>The question was raised about a hands-on experiment that teaches Bernoulli's
>Principle.
>
>The curriculum for the Flying WILD program, titled Flying WILD: An
>Educator's Guide to Celebrating Birds, has an activity titled "Birds
>and Bernoulli."
>In this activity, students do simple experiments with household items. There
>is also an origami style flying eagle stencil. Given a photocopy of the
>design, middle school students (or higher) can fold the eagle and
>fly it, while
>experimenting with how changing the wing shape affects the birds lift.
>
>Note that the second edition of this guide, due out in two weeks, has a much
>improved version of the flying eagle. The guide is available to educators
>through a training. If you would like to learn where you can get training and
>materials in your area, or if your science center is interested in becoming
>the material and training provider for your city, please contact me at the
>Council for Environmental Education, the national office for Flying WILD.
>
>Marc LeFebre
>Sr. Coordinator, Flying WILD
>Council for Environmental Education
>5555 Morningside Driver, Suite 212
>Houston, Texas 77005
>
>p/713-520-1936
>f/713-520-8008
>_www.flyingwild.org_ (http://www.flyingwild.org/)
>
>
>Bird Conservation through Education: A National Gathering, February 5-8,
>2007, Austin, TX
***********************************************************************
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