Let It Glide
Spring STEM Challenge

Design and build a shoebox glider, and then improve it in terms of aircraft and wing materials, shapes, and structure, to produce the greatest glide.

This STEM Challenge is sponsored by the Eastern Carolina Aviation Heritage Foundation. Our hope is that creativity and innovation will be inspired through STEM activities that challenge youth to think outside of the box, create, design and improve their design.

Entries must be submitted to Flipgrid by 11:59 PM on Monday, May 30, 2022.

Types of Aircraft:

Challenge Introduction

You will be submitting your work to through Flipgrid for judging.

Challenge Requirements

Engineering Design Process

Aerodynamics Investigations

Use the following investigations to build your knowledge and understanding of aerodynamics:

Helpful Resources

  1. Beginner's Guide to Aeronautics- https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/UEET/StudentSite/index.html

  2. DIY Glider- https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Glider/

  3. Paper Glider- https://mainestatemuseum.org/learn/activities-and-family-fun/make-your-own-glider/

    ** Keep in mind that the fuselage of your glider has to be made out of an intact shoe box. The purpose of these resources is to give you ideas of wing shape, proportions, and opportunities for discovery of what works well with smaller gliders so that you can expand on those discoveries with the design and engineering of your prototype.