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In this lesson, students learn about aerodynamic forces by experimenting with a rubberband powered butterfly. In this activity, students (1) design butterfly wings using vector graphic software, (2) cut the designed wings using the vinyl cutter, (3) assemble the wings on pre-fabricated butterfly bodies, (4) test out the rubberband powered butterfly to observe the impact of wing design on the flight. At the end of this lesson, students will gain the knowledge of aerodynamic forces. In addition,
students will also develop technical skills in vinyl cutting and a vector graphic tool.
Materials
Vinyl Cutter
Tape
Hot glue gun
Pre-fabricated butterfly body
Rubber band
Paper, vinyl, foam
Software
2D vector graphics application
Sihloutette
In this activity, students engage in hands-on experimentation with various butterfly wing designs to gain a better understanding of aerodynamics. Students will generate, vinyl cut and test different wings on a rubber-band powered butterfly model.
1. Students are required to
a. Generate at least 2 different butterfly wing designs using graphical software application.
b. Use vinyl cutters to cut these 2 designs of butterfly wings using 2 different materials each, i.e., there will be a total of 4 sets of butterfly wings produced
c. Attach these wings onto the pre-fabricated butterfly bodies given out in class
d. Conduct flying tests of these wings
2. Students are required to work in teams of 2 over 2 sessions of 3 hours.
a. Session 1 covers Assignment, Background Work and Brainstorming
b. Session 2 covers Design, Implementation and Sharing
3. Teams will be formed by teachers
4. Students are required to observe and share their insights of the effects of wing designs on flight performance of their butterflies.
Source: instructables – How to make a twirling paper butterfly by craftknowitall May 18, 2012
Students are expected to possess pre-requisite knowledge of forces, torque, energy and power. They should also be fluent with the use of Microsoft Office and other similar applications.
The teacher will go through the following topics during lesson:
1. Review forces, torque, kinetic energy and power.
2. Show the butterfly body and discuss the energy of rubber-band wound in hand and unwinding in flight and fully unwound in air.
3. Go through the forces acting on the butterfly; lift, weight, thrust and drag.
Source: https://www.sciencebuddies.org
Students are required to carry out research to find out the various designs of butterfly wings present in nature
Reference:Ortega Ancel, A., Eastwood, R., Vogt, D., Ithier, C., Smith, M., Wood, R., & Kovač, M. (2017). Aerodynamic evaluation of wing shape and wing orientation in four butterfly species using numerical simulations and a low-speed wind tunnel, and its implications for the design of flying micro-robots. Interface focus, 7(1), 20160087.
Students are required to work in teams to brainstorm the design of various wing designs for butterflies. Students are expected to sketch the wing design on paper and also determine the required dimensions. They will also discuss the specific types of materials they intend to use for making these wings.
1. Students are required to develop designs of the butterfly wings.
2. These designs must be sketched out with dimensions.
3. Students may start brainstorming of butterfly wing designs using designs found in nature.
4. Once wing designs are finalised, students will choose suitable materials to fabricate the wings using vinyl cutter.
In this design stage, students will produce the design of the butterfly wings using the vector graphical software and then use vinyl cutter to fabricate them.
1. Produce the butterfly wing image design on vector graphical software with the necessary dimensions.
2. Export the image to svg format.
Source: Instructables – How to Make a Twirling Paper Butterfly by craftknowitall
3. Import the image to Silhouette for vinyl cut.
4. Choose the appropriate settings on the Silhouette application and cutter.
5. Execute the cutting process.
Attach the fabricated wings onto the bodies of butterfly. Once all the parts are assembled together, the butterfly is ready for flight test. Wind the rubber band till it is taut and then release the butterfly into the air. Observe how the butterfly flies and particularly take note of the forces acting on the body of the butterfly.
1. Once the wings of the butterfly are fabricated, they will be assembled onto the pre-fabricated butterfly bodies (as shown in figure below).
Source: Instructables – Butterfly surprise by belsey on Mar 14, 2012
2. The wings may be taped or glued to the butterfly bodies.
3. Once the parts are all assembled together, the butterfly is ready to take its flight.
4. Wind the rubber band till it is taut.
Source : Instructables – Butterfly surprise by belsey on Mar 14, 2012
5. Release the butterfly into the air and observe the forces acting on the butterfly.
6. Re-design and vinyl cut the winds of the butterfly (Step 4 and 5) if necessary.
In this last part, students make a presentation of their design and results. Students will share their observations and provide ideas to improve the design of the butterfly wings. They will also answer questions raised by their classmates and teacher.
1.Students carry out a show and tell of their wing designs.
2.While demonstrating their butterflies in action, they will also comment on improvements they can make to improve the flying performance of their butterflies
3.Students share lessons learnt and also answer questions raised by their classmates and teacher.
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