How to Make a Glider With a Straw & Paper

Make your own glider using simple supplies.

Making a paper glider is a hands-on project that is both educational and inexpensive. Experimenting with your glider teaches some basic principles of flight. Use poster board, index cards or a manila folder for your paper. These papers have a heavier weight so they will hold the shape of the glider's wings and it will fly more reliably. Adjusting the tail rudder and front elevators of your glider will change how it flies.

Things You'll Need

• Thick paper such as poster board or manila folder
• Straw
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Tape
• Paper Clip

Instructions

Making the Glider Pieces

1. Measure and draw out a 1 inch by 2 inches rectangle to use for the glider’s back vertical fin. Add a small extension onto one of the 1-inch sides of the fin. This extension should be about a 1/2 inch long by 1/4 inch high.

2. Draw a piece for the wing that is 2 inches by 8 inches using the ruler.

3. Measure a 2 inches by 4 inches rectangle for the front rudder of your glider.

4. Cut out all the pieces for the glider.

5. Cut two small slits in the vertical tail fin to use as a rudder.

Assembling the Glider

1. Cut a small slit into the top of one end of the straw and then slip the small extension of the vertical fin into the straw.

2. Measure 1 inch from the end of each side of the glider's long wing and make a mark with the pencil.

3. Fold the wing piece in the center and then fold over each side of the wing at the 1 inch mark.

4. Lay the straw in the center fold of the wing with the wing just ahead of the tail fin. Secure the wing to the straw with the tape.

5. Fold the front rudder piece in half and then cut two slits on each side of the rudder to add elevators.

6. Place the front end of the straw in the center of the front rudder and attach it using the tape. The elevators should be at the back of the rudder, facing the wing.

7. Place a paper clip in the front of the straw for weight.

References

• Mansfiels CT: Lesson 4 - Three-Axis Control