Wing Workshop Teacher Guide
Wing Workshop
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Target Grade
6th Grade Science
Objective
Students will demonstrate how the shape of a bird's wing (airfoil) creates lift using Bernoulli's principle by constructing and testing paper models.
Materials List
- Construction paper or cardstock
- Clear tape / Glue sticks
- Electric fans (1 per station)
- Markers (Red and Blue)
- Wing Workshop Lab Sheets
Vocabulary Focus
Bernoulli’s Principle: Faster moving air creates lower pressure. Slower moving air creates higher pressure.
Airfoil: A shape with a curved top and flat bottom, designed to provide maximum lift.
Lift: The upward force created by the pressure difference across a wing.
Instructional Flow
5 Minutes
The Paper Hook (Warm-up)
Have students hold a strip of paper just below their lips. Tell them to blow hard across the top surface. They should observe the paper rise. Ask: "Why didn't it blow down? You're blowing across the top!"
10 Minutes
Visual Discovery (Video)
Watch the segment on aerodynamics (2:16-2:52). Focus on the "curved top, flat bottom" animation. Pause at 2:32 to discuss the speed of air particles over the hump vs. the bottom.
25 Minutes
Wing Workshop (Activity)
Students construct three wing models: Flat, Moderate Curve, Extreme Curve. They test them by mounting them on a straw pivot in front of a fan.
Teacher Tip: Circulate and ensure students are using the red marker for high pressure (slow air) and blue for low pressure (fast air) on their diagrams.
Technical Deep Dive
How Bernoulli Creates Lift
The path over the top of a curved wing is longer than the path underneath. To meet up at the back of the wing at roughly the same time, the air on top must travel faster.
Top of Wing
FAST AIR
LOW PRESSURE
Bottom of Wing
SLOW AIR
HIGH PRESSURE
High pressure always pushes toward low pressure, creating the upward force we call Lift.
Differentiation Strategies
Scaffolding (For Striving Learners)
Provide pre-cut paper strips of varying lengths to make the "hump" formation easier. Use the pre-drawn airfoil on the Lab Sheet as a tracing guide for their physical model.
Extension (For Advanced Learners)
Challenge students to research "stalling." Have them test at what angle of attack the wing stops producing lift even if the fan is on high. Introduce "Drag" as the counterforce to Thrust.
Discussion Prompts
- "If a bird wanted to fly faster, how might it change its wing shape?"
- "Look at the fan. What provides the 'thrust' for a real bird?" (Strong chest muscles mentioned in the video at 2:45).
- "Why do flightless birds like penguins still have wings if they don't need lift in the air?"
Sky High Science Slides
Aviation Lab
Sky High Science
Mastering the Physics of Flight
VER. 2026.01
Warm-Up: The Paper Trick
5 Minutes
1
Hold a strip of paper just below your bottom lip.
2
Take a deep breath and blow hard straight across the top of the paper.
What do you observe?
Did it blow down or rise up? Why?
Anatomy of an Airfoil
What is an Airfoil?
A shape with a curved top and a flat bottom.
The Biological Connection
Airplane wings are designed to mimic the exact shape of bird wings.
Airfoil Shape
LIFT
This specific shape is the key to flight.
Video Discovery
Watch: 2:16 — 2:52
Embedded media
Look for the "curved top" animation!
Bernoulli's Secret
Fast Air
Air moving over the curved top travels faster, creating LOW pressure.
Slow Air
Air moving under the flat bottom travels slower, creating HIGH pressure.
The Law of Lift
HIGH PRESSURE
PUSHES
TOWARD
LOW PRESSURE
Wing Workshop
25 MIN
1. BUILD
Create 3 wing models with different levels of curvature.
2. TEST
Place your wing in front of the fan. Which one lifts the highest?
3. DRAW
Label the Fast Air and Slow Air on your lab sheet.
Paper & Tape
Electric Fan
Red/Blue Markers
Final Reflection
How exactly does an airplane wing copy a bird's wing?
Turn and talk to your flight partner!
Wing Workshop Handout
Wing Workshop
Aeronautics Lab Report
Scientist Name
Date
01. The Paper Trick Observation
Instruction: Blow over the top of the paper strip. What happens?
02. Wing Shape Testing
| Wing Model | Sketch of Shape | Lift Rating (1-5) |
|---|
| A: Flat | | |
| B: Moderate Curve | | |
| C: Extreme Curve | | |
03. Physics Diagram: Bernoulli's Principle
Use your BLUE marker for Fast Air / Low Pressure and your RED marker for Slow Air / High Pressure. Draw arrows showing the airflow.
WING AREA
Lift Force?
04. Lab Reflection
Based on what you learned from the video and your model, how exactly does an airplane wing copy a bird wing?