The Citizen Scientist

04 May 2007

Model Aviation in Science Education

Bill Kuhl

My interest in science education stems from my feeling that the survival of the living world depends on science and the need for young people to be exposed to alternative energy.

Hopefully many future scientist and engineers will emerge from science activities that stimulated them at an early age. I took an interest in model airplanes when I was only a few years old, and it has been a major hobby most of my life.

For several years I have been trying to promote science and engineering in my classes and demonstrations through model aviation. I've tried to involve alternative energy in model aviation, especially miniature planes propelled by electric motors powered by advanced types of batteries.

Figure 1. AMA Cub flying high.

Through my web site, which was originally devoted to the AMA Cub or Delta Dart rubber-powered model airplane, I have branched out into many areas and added sections that can be used as lesson plans by educators.

Figure 2. Flight diagram from a glider lesson.

Why Model Aviation?

Model aviation is a hands-on activity that is very inexpensive and relatively safe.

Rubber-powered free flight airplanes can be constructed from strips of balsa wood and tissue paper used for gift wrapping. The total cost per plane is under a dollar. More advanced rubber models use special indoor grade wood and lighter covering material.

Almost everyone seems to get a thrill seeing something they build actually fly. This is a good way to introduce some basic math and physics. The level of challenge can range from low to very high.

Figure 3. A student experimented with two wing designs.

Figure 4. Science Olympiad "Wright Stuff" rubber band-powered plane in flight.

Where I Have Held Classes

By word of mouth and articles in local newspapers, I have had the opportunity to teach model aviation classes for students at a local youth center and through cub scouts, Science Olympiad Wright Stuff event, College for Kids class, community education classes, high school physics classes, and demonstrations for engineering students at the local university.

STEPS Program

The STEPS Program (Science Technology and Engineering Preview at the University of Wisconsin-Stout) is a one-week introduction to science, technology and engineering for girls.

Figure 5. Girls move through work stations as they construct model sailplane from plastic foam.

Figure 6. Forty radio-controlled sailplanes ready for flight.

After learning about this exciting summer camp for 12-year old girls in Model Aviation magazine, I contacted the creator of the camp, Dr. Pete Heimdahl at U. W. Stout to see if I might spend a day observing the camp. Dr. Heimdahl was very receptive to this, and I made the 70-mile drive to Stout to observe the activities for almost an entire day. My initial interest in this program was because one of the major activities of the camp was the construction of a radio-controlled sailplane. Model RC sailplanes were a real passion of mine a few years ago.

Figure 7. Experienced RC instructor helps a STEPS student pilot a sailplane.

The camp was originally created because of a lack of female engineering professors applying for positions at Stout. Dr. Heimdahl had the vision to create a program to “grow his own.” After 10 years, data collected from over 1,400 girls, has shown that a girl who has been through STEPS is almost eight times more likely to pursue a career in science or engineering. The Society for Manufacturing Engineers was the initial sponsor that helped the camp “get off the ground” and continues to promote the camp.

As an alternative to the radio-controlled sailplane, I have designed a radio-controlled slow flight electric plane (Fig. 8) that can be easily flown in smaller areas. The plane is constructed almost entirely out of foam found at a lumber yard and reinforced with carbon fiber strips. A lithium polymer battery powers a brushless electric motor for flights of 40 minutes before recharging is needed.