LASER-CUT GLIDER KITS FOR CLASSROOMS
Why Use Balsa Wood Gliders for Your Classroom?
1. Practical Application of Aerospace Principles
Balsa wood gliders offer a hands-on approach to understanding fundamental aerospace engineering concepts. As students build and test their gliders, they learn about:
• Lift, drag, thrust, and weight—the four essential forces acting on an aircraft.
• Aerodynamics and how wing shapes affect airflow and flight stability.
• The role of center of gravity in determining a glider’s balance and maneuverability.
• The relationship between wing area and flight performance, giving insight into real-world aircraft design.
2. Encouraging Problem-Solving and Design Thinking
The process of assembling a glider kit encourages students to think like engineers. They have to:
• Follow engineering design processes, from brainstorming to building and testing.
• Identify problems during the flight and adjust design elements to improve performance.
• Experiment with different modifications (e.g., adjusting the wing angle, adding weights) and analyze how changes affect flight stability and range.
3. Making STEM Concepts Tangible
Glider kits bring abstract concepts like Newton’s laws of motion and Bernoulli’s principle into a tangible learning environment. For example:
• Newton’s Third Law (for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction) is experienced when students launch the gliders and observe how thrust pushes the glider forward.
• Bernoulli’s principle (faster air over the wing creates lower pressure, leading to lift) becomes clear as students see how air flows over the curved wing surfaces of the gliders.
• Understanding the difference between potential energy and kinetic energy and learning how they are relate to glider altitude and velocity.
4. Understanding Real-World Aerospace Engineering
Students working with glider kits gain insights into real-world aerospace challenges, such as:
• The importance of structural integrity—even lightweight materials like balsa wood must be sturdy enough to withstand the forces of flight.
• The concept of energy efficiency—students can experiment with how different designs conserve energy during flight.
• Sustainability and materials science, as they learn why certain materials like balsa wood are chosen for aerospace models due to their lightweight, eco-friendly properties.
5. Collaborative Learning and Engagement
Gliders are fun to build and exciting to fly.
• Building and testing gliders can be a collaborative group activity, fostering teamwork and communication as students work together to improve their designs.
• It also stimulates engagement and curiosity, as students can compete to see whose glider flies the farthest or remains airborne the longest, motivating them to dive deeper into engineering dynamics.
Why Chooses Nighthawk Gliders?
First and foremost, we strongly support STEM activities that promote critical thinking and creativity. We've seen an increased number of courses provided in both middle and high schools around the topics of aerospace engineering-- and we are here for it! We are dedicated to provide you with top-quality & affordable glider kits and tools your classroom needs.
• Our Sandpiper glider is easy to assemble and is perfect for first-time builders (middle school students and above!)
• We hand-select top-quality light-weight balsa material and laser-cut the airplane parts for easier construction.
• Each glider kit includes printed instructions, launch handle, three rubber bands, clay and steel nose weight.
• We have additional tools and supplies you need, such as Sanding Blocks, (Gorilla Brand) Super Glue, and Hobby Knives.
• Our bulk-rate pricing is cost-effective and varies based on quantity ordered.
• Our glider kits are eco-friendly (made from wood) and made in USA.
• Want your school name on the gliders? We can customize.
• And finally, we will give you a "prize glider box" for every 24 kits ordered. Have students compete for this prize and flight-time bragging rights!
Contact Us for a Bulk Order!
If you are interested in buying our glider kits in bulk at a variable discounted rate, please email us at [email protected] and ask for a price sheet. We are determined to be your catapult glider supplier for years to come and we want to help you inspire the next generation of aerospace engineers!
Thanks!
Brad Williamson
Nighthawk Gliders LLC
1. Practical Application of Aerospace Principles
Balsa wood gliders offer a hands-on approach to understanding fundamental aerospace engineering concepts. As students build and test their gliders, they learn about:
• Lift, drag, thrust, and weight—the four essential forces acting on an aircraft.
• Aerodynamics and how wing shapes affect airflow and flight stability.
• The role of center of gravity in determining a glider’s balance and maneuverability.
• The relationship between wing area and flight performance, giving insight into real-world aircraft design.
2. Encouraging Problem-Solving and Design Thinking
The process of assembling a glider kit encourages students to think like engineers. They have to:
• Follow engineering design processes, from brainstorming to building and testing.
• Identify problems during the flight and adjust design elements to improve performance.
• Experiment with different modifications (e.g., adjusting the wing angle, adding weights) and analyze how changes affect flight stability and range.
3. Making STEM Concepts Tangible
Glider kits bring abstract concepts like Newton’s laws of motion and Bernoulli’s principle into a tangible learning environment. For example:
• Newton’s Third Law (for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction) is experienced when students launch the gliders and observe how thrust pushes the glider forward.
• Bernoulli’s principle (faster air over the wing creates lower pressure, leading to lift) becomes clear as students see how air flows over the curved wing surfaces of the gliders.
• Understanding the difference between potential energy and kinetic energy and learning how they are relate to glider altitude and velocity.
4. Understanding Real-World Aerospace Engineering
Students working with glider kits gain insights into real-world aerospace challenges, such as:
• The importance of structural integrity—even lightweight materials like balsa wood must be sturdy enough to withstand the forces of flight.
• The concept of energy efficiency—students can experiment with how different designs conserve energy during flight.
• Sustainability and materials science, as they learn why certain materials like balsa wood are chosen for aerospace models due to their lightweight, eco-friendly properties.
5. Collaborative Learning and Engagement
Gliders are fun to build and exciting to fly.
• Building and testing gliders can be a collaborative group activity, fostering teamwork and communication as students work together to improve their designs.
• It also stimulates engagement and curiosity, as students can compete to see whose glider flies the farthest or remains airborne the longest, motivating them to dive deeper into engineering dynamics.
Why Chooses Nighthawk Gliders?
First and foremost, we strongly support STEM activities that promote critical thinking and creativity. We've seen an increased number of courses provided in both middle and high schools around the topics of aerospace engineering-- and we are here for it! We are dedicated to provide you with top-quality & affordable glider kits and tools your classroom needs.
• Our Sandpiper glider is easy to assemble and is perfect for first-time builders (middle school students and above!)
• We hand-select top-quality light-weight balsa material and laser-cut the airplane parts for easier construction.
• Each glider kit includes printed instructions, launch handle, three rubber bands, clay and steel nose weight.
• We have additional tools and supplies you need, such as Sanding Blocks, (Gorilla Brand) Super Glue, and Hobby Knives.
• Our bulk-rate pricing is cost-effective and varies based on quantity ordered.
• Our glider kits are eco-friendly (made from wood) and made in USA.
• Want your school name on the gliders? We can customize.
• And finally, we will give you a "prize glider box" for every 24 kits ordered. Have students compete for this prize and flight-time bragging rights!
Contact Us for a Bulk Order!
If you are interested in buying our glider kits in bulk at a variable discounted rate, please email us at [email protected] and ask for a price sheet. We are determined to be your catapult glider supplier for years to come and we want to help you inspire the next generation of aerospace engineers!
Thanks!
Brad Williamson
Nighthawk Gliders LLC