On this project of STEM, we are doing a tetrahedron kite, building it with: Tissue Paper String Tape Straws When we’re done building it, we will be able to fly it ourselves. Basically the purpose is to successfully build and fly a tetrahedron kite. This project employs all branches of the STEM program. The science of flying. The technology of things staying in the air. Electrical machines were used to create the products, and math to determine the size of the kite.

1.What, exactly, a tetrahedron is. 2.Is a tetrahedron a 3-D shape? 3.How many sides it has. 4.Is it open or closed? 5.How well a tetrahedron kite flies. 6.How long the process takes to make a kite. 7.What materials we need to use.

To even get into the air, you must be aerodynamic, which basically means that air is able to pass over you and you can cut through air without much resistance. But every action has an opposite and equal reaction, per one of the Laws of Physics, so friction will always be fighting you. To be in the air, you must be able to at least glide. Birds, when you look at them, you can see them gliding with the wind. They don’t usually try to go against it. Going against heavy wind usually cause bad turbulence in airplanes, which means the plane is generally rocked from side to side, and the ride is really bumpy.

Diamond Kite-This is the most basic kite formed in a diamond shape, designed by Ben Franklin himself. Box Kite-Two rectangles wrapped around a top and a bottom. Winged Box Kite-Almost the same as a box kite, but has two more rectangles in the middle, and two triangular “wings” on the sides. Sled Kite-Named because it looks like a sled. Two rectangular pieces are curves onto a middle. It has a streamer behind it sometimes. Delta Kite-A triangular kite, the sometimes has a smaller triangle behind it. Power Kites-Very large and strong, these kites can be used to lift human beings. DiamondBoxWinged BoxSled Delta Power

Birds vs. Kites-Birds have feathers and wings that make them better aerodynamic, but the kite is slimmer, which allows the kite to slice through the air. Kites can also go against wind. Birds vs. Planes-Birds use manual labor to launch themselves into the air, using and flapping their wings. Planes used to require someone pushing to lift off (and some still do), but most don’t anymore, thanks to engines. Plus, birds can fold in their wings at any time. Kites vs. Planes-Plans are much more powerful fliers than kites, being that they have engines and mechanical gear.

Even though my kite didn’t fly the best it flew pretty well. I liked how it turned out. It was fully red, and two blue streamers at the back. Mr. Smalls’ kite flew pretty well. He just got lucky I think. But all in all, it was a great project, and I had some fun. There were some frustrating points, but I figured them out.