Make and Fly a Rotocopter

Kids can Make and Fly A Rotocopter, they just cut and fold. Add a paper clip and toss it into the air. Watch the rotocopter spin to the ground. This makes an interesting classroom project. Try changing variables. Use a larger paper clip or a heavier piece of paper and see which rotocopter drops the slowest. Think of it as throwing a thought into the air and see what idea it sparks.

Trivia:

Even on a very still day, the air around us is always moving. But when a big wind comes, that air can really go! And as the wind picks up seeds and dust and other particles, it can carry them miles away from their original home! Source: NASA Climate Kids – 10 Interesting Things About Air

Supplies

Paper (We used scrapbook paper to make it colorful)
Markers to Decorate
Scissors
Paper Clips

Patterns, Templates and Printables

Click on a pattern to open it in a new window to print

Print pattern. You can make two rotocopters with pattern provided.
Cut out the rotocopters, cutting on all solid lines.
Decorate both sides with markers.
Fold the blades down, one in each direction on the dotted line.
Fold the bottom sides in toward the middle on the dotted lines.
Fold up the bottom on the dotted line.
Attach a paper clip to bottom folded section. This gives the copter weight at the bottom to keep it right side up.