Wind Tunnel

Use the engineering design process to design, test and redesign aerodynamic contraptions in a wind tunnel.

Age of children

Can be adapted for elementary through high school ages

Materials required

To Make Wind Tunnel

• Three pieces of 2×4 wood, about 3′ long
• Circular fan, or box fan, at least 16″ in diameter
• Clear plastic, very thin, (.08″ used here), 44″ long, and as tall as you’d like your tunnel
• 3-4 Embroidery hoops, 14″ in diameter alternatively
• Hanger section, or other rod for horizontal mounting

For building with:

• Coffee filters
• Thin plastic baskets (strawberry baskets)
• Plastic cups
• Toilet paper rolls
• Pool noodles, cut into 1” sections
• String
• Plastic bags, cut into 4” squares
• Crepe paper, cut into 3-4” strips
• Pipe cleaners
• Cardstock or other stiff paper, cut into fourths
• Small weights (army men, large beads, plastic animals)
• Masking tape
• Scissors

Time

• 1 hour