Walkalong Glider

Hosted by: Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering

Recommended Grades: 4th-8th

The Challenge: Build a walkalong glider and see how long you can fly it.

Recommended Materials:

  • 1 piece of lightweight paper – wrapping paper, newspaper, phone book page, aluminum foil, printer or notebook paper (the lighter, the better).
  • 1 of the following – a flattened cardboard box, foam core board, cereal box (the bigger, the better)
  • Scissors

Instructions:  Instructions and a template can be downloaded and printed at the following link or found embedded below: walkalong glider pattern. Walkalong Glider En Español. Watch the video below for easy-to-follow instructions.  

STEM Connections:

See airfoils in action.  Today, many of the things that you buy in stores are transported by airplanes, which use similar principles of flight to these gliders.  Aerospace engineers work hard to design airplanes to transport people and goods as cheaply and efficiently as possible.  By experimenting with different materials and methods, girls can get the first-hand experience tackling challenges that aerospace engineers face on a daily basis.

Activity extension: If you enjoyed this activity, try a TAME engineering design challenge and build a stunt plane.  Instructions are available at this link.

https://www.tame.org/news/entry/tame-engineering-adventure-stunt-plane-state-challenge/

Activity Video

Check out this four-second video showing a walkalong glider in flight: Walkalong glider flight

Watch the video above for instructions to create the TAME Tumblewing Walkalong Glider. Get the experience of piloting an aircraft without leaving your house. A walkalong glider flies on a wave of air created by pushing a piece of cardboard as you walk. TAME shares simple instructions to help you create your own glider very easily using common household items. Walkalong Glider En Español

About Us

Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering

Since 1976, TAME has worked to encourage the participation of women and minorities in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers through innovative, hands-on science programming for K-12 students across Texas. We offer age-specific programs to spark and support student interest in STEM, professional development and curriculum ideas for teachers, and locally relevant events to educate families and communities about opportunities in STEM.

Check out what TAME's offering in 2021 to help Texas students and educators connect to STEM resources. Registration is free and open until mid-spring!

You don't need to be a teacher, librarian, or STEM professional to register a TAME Club. You only need an adult, 6 students in grades K-12, and to meet regularly in person or virtually to do something (anything!) STEM-related.

  • Free K-12 STEM Clubs⁠
  • Club Toolkits & funding⁠
  • Virtual & in-person meetings⁠
  • Flexible schedule⁠
  • STEM role model virtual visits⁠
  • Scholarships⁠
  • Virtual Spring Break Camp with MIT Lincoln Lab

Our STEM clubs can be virtual or in-person, and you can set your own schedule. Meet weekly, monthly, a couple times a semester. TAME Clubs are 100% free and flexible to your school, community group, and unique needs.

For more information about what TAME is offering in 2021 watch TAME 2021 Programs.

Register today: https://www.tame.org/club2020⁠

Additional Resources:  www.tame.org/resources

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