DOThe meeting begins with a video of an actual hovercraft (example can be found in the online resources section) When the video is over the poster with different designs of hove crafts is distributed and Cubs are asked if they know how a hovercraft works Take time for brainstorming guessing and discussing Scouters can encourage discussion by asking probing questions like how would that help the hovercraft move (The hovercraft operates by creating a layer of high pressure air between the craft and the surface below This will lift the craft and allow it to easily move back and forth Some designs include a skirt around the edges of the hovercraft that make it more efficient and easier to control)

Activity1 Build the Hovercraftbull EachgroupoftwoorthreeCubsreceiveaboxfullofmaterials(youngerandolderCubscan

be grouped together) There should be enough so that each Cub can try building several different types of hovercrafts)

bull AfterseeingthematerialsCubswillhaveagroupdiscussionabouthowtheycanbuildahovercraft using the materials they have Scouters provide some hints or guidelines if Cubs are stuck but should try not to give away the answer

bull Whenthegroupfiguresoutthattheballooncanpushtheairunderneaththebodyofthehovercraft they will draw their design on paper

bull EachgroupwillexplaintheirdesignandhowitworkstoaScouterbull CubsusethematerialstobuildtheirdesignedhovercraftDependingontheiragetheycando

this individually or in groups of two It is best if at the end of the project each Cub will have a hovercraft to take home

bull Cubsshouldbeabletotestthedesignandtryoutsomethingnewtocompareandfigureoutwhich one works better (how do the different shapes of the craft influence the motion How can we hold the balloon up Cubs can cut out different shapes such as squares and circles from the foam board to see which one works best They can use cardstock or straw to create a cradle for the balloon)

bull AfterunderstandingtheinitialconceptofthehovercraftandbuildingonethatworksCubsdesign a hovercraft that moves in one direction (They can do this by adding a horizontal direction to the force of the air by cutting an angled hole in the foam board The angled hole supplies lift and forward thrust)

bull Theycanalsotestaddingpenniesonthehovercrafttoseehowitworksifmadeheavier

Activity2 Race the Hovercraftsbull ScoutersbuildaracewayusingfishinglinesasaguidewaysupportedoffthefloorFishing

lines straddle the balloon cradle (straws or cardstock) Heavy books can be used to hold strings up Use a spring clamp to hold the air pressure after the balloon has been inflated and remove the clamp when ready to race

bull ReleasethehovercraftsWhichonesgofasterDothehovercraftsspinaroundHowdoyoustabilize the direction of travel Note the winners

bull Adjustthedesignorredodesignandthenruntheraceagain

Extension activity Build a Hovercraft you can ride onScale up the model and Cubs can actually ride on the hovercraft Use a sturdy piece of plywood as the body of the hovercraft a leaf blower as the source of pressured air and something like a shower curtain to create the skirts Check out the online resources for a video that shows you how

CUB SCOUTS STEM Program

Build a Hovercraft

PLANPack Scouters should familiarize themselves with how a hovercraft works Pack Scouters and Sixers discuss what materials they want to bring in addition to the necessary items listed (for example for providing more options decorating the hovercrafts or playing additional games with them) Hovercrafts need to run on a smooth surface (like a gym floor)

Build a hovercraft

DescriptioNCubScoutscreateahovercraftusingaCDorapaperplateorafoamboardandpower it by balloons Once assembled the youth may race the hovercraft to understand how different elements of the design can affect the speed and direction of the hovercraft

REVIEWbull What did you learn today bull How does a hover craft work How could you make a Hovercraft

go faster or straighter bull Which designs travelled straight Why

bull What do you want to know morebull HowdoyouthinkyouusedScienceandEngineeringinthisactivitybull What did you like about this activity What did you not like about it How

would you have changed this activity

Build a Hovercraft

Material Neededbull Scissors bull Precision knifebull Gluebull Fishinglineorstringbull Clear tapebull Balloon pumpbull 34rdquo wide foam tapebull Double-sidedcleartapebull Weigh scalebull Penniesorotherlightweightcoins(3-5foreachCub)

For each Cubbull 1-2OldCDorDVDbull Assortedpaperplatesbull Foamboard(enoughtocutout2-36rdquofoamplat)bull Several different types of air valves You can use

bull Thread spoolsbull 58rdquodiameterwooddowelcutin1rdquolengthsanddrilled

(Sand edges so balloon will not be torn)bull Party horn

bull 1 frac12rdquo spring clampsbull Paper and pencil for drawing the sketchbull Cardstock for the balloon cradlebull 10 straws for the balloon cradle

Online ReferencesA video of a hovercraft on water and land

A visual description of how a hovercraft works and a more detailed description of a similar activity

Instruction for building a hovercraft to ride on

Activity Time

Plan 30 min

Designingandbuilding 45min

Raceandredesign 45min

Review 15min

Important notesbull Surface must be smooth bull Open design will result in many failures bull Prepare to redo design bull Airvalverequirescreativityfindingsourcesbull Determinehowtocontrolriskofcuttingfoamboard

and paper with sharp cutters

REVIEWbull What did you learn today bull How does a hover craft work How could you make a Hovercraft

go faster or straighter bull Which designs travelled straight Why

bull What do you want to know morebull HowdoyouthinkyouusedScienceandEngineeringinthisactivitybull What did you like about this activity What did you not like about it How

would you have changed this activity

Build a Hovercraft

Material Neededbull Scissors bull Precision knifebull Gluebull Fishinglineorstringbull Clear tapebull Balloon pumpbull 34rdquo wide foam tapebull Double-sidedcleartapebull Weigh scalebull Penniesorotherlightweightcoins(3-5foreachCub)

For each Cubbull 1-2OldCDorDVDbull Assortedpaperplatesbull Foamboard(enoughtocutout2-36rdquofoamplat)bull Several different types of air valves You can use

bull Thread spoolsbull 58rdquodiameterwooddowelcutin1rdquolengthsanddrilled

(Sand edges so balloon will not be torn)bull Party horn

bull 1 frac12rdquo spring clampsbull Paper and pencil for drawing the sketchbull Cardstock for the balloon cradlebull 10 straws for the balloon cradle

Online ReferencesA video of a hovercraft on water and land

A visual description of how a hovercraft works and a more detailed description of a similar activity

Instruction for building a hovercraft to ride on

Activity Time

Plan 30 min

Designingandbuilding 45min

Raceandredesign 45min

Review 15min

Important notesbull Surface must be smooth bull Open design will result in many failures bull Prepare to redo design bull Airvalverequirescreativityfindingsourcesbull Determinehowtocontrolriskofcuttingfoamboard

and paper with sharp cutters