Flapping-wing flight is an exciting way to get kids interested in science. By studying bird flight, students will explore many important areas of the science curriculum.

Flapping wing models, called ornithopters, are a versatile teaching tool that will get your students excited about learning. Building an ornithopter from kit instructions is a unique language lesson that teaches students to read for information and understanding. Your students will also learn math, science, and technology skills through hands-on experience. Students will want to carry out their own inquiry-based experiments to learn more about flapping-wing flight. Students from the elementary grades through college investigate flapping flight at their respective levels.

Teachers Guide in Adobe PDF format

Neil Armstrong Elementary students build ornithopters

Building the Freebird kit requires scissors, a hobby knife, needle-nose pliers, straight pins, white glue, and epoxy or CA glue available at your local hobby shop. To protect desks, students should work on cardboard covered with wax paper. Students can work in pairs to build the Freebird kit or carry out experiments with the ready-made Tim Bird ornithopter (best for elementary grades).

School Discounts! Our classroom packs include 12 ornithopters priced almost 20% off for educators. School purchase orders may be directed to The Ornithopter Zone, 582 Laurelton Road, Rochester NY 14609. For more info, please click here.