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Balsa Wood Gliders Project - 11/23/2009 6:10 PM   
DRSS


 

Posts: 3
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Joined: 11/23/2009
Last Login: 12/16/2009
From: Dayton, OH, USA
Status: offline 		Hello everyone,

I am a teacher at a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) school in Ohio.  We are getting ready to conduct a month-long integrated unit on aerospace where the culminating project will be for the students to construct three separate airfoils for a basic balsa wood glider. As the social studies teacher, I will be working with the students on the creation of a company that will manufacture the airfiols for mass production and distribution.  For my unit, I plan on having the students conduct market research to help determine how much they will charge for the kit (three airfoils and fusalage).  To conduct their market research, the students will create a survey via an online survey tool (RSVMe, Survey Monkey, etc.) that will enable them to gather some data.  My question to all of you, then, is whether or not that would be something I could have them do within this forum.  I would have them come up with the survey and the, once it's ready to go, I would include a link for all of you to click on via a post to this forum.  Please let me know if you have any thoughts (pro or con) regarding this.  Thanks!

Kevin Lydy, teacher
Dayton Regional STEM School


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RE: Balsa Wood Gliders Project - 11/26/2009 12:16 PM   
aeajr



Posts: 6255
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From: Long Island, NY, USA
Status: offline 		Any discussion thread can have a survey associated with that thread. So the use of a forum like this is ideal.

If you look at the top of the forum, there are two links, one to create a discussion and one to create a poll. Just use the poll button.

Use the first post within that thread to explain the poll.

If you need help, just post your questions here. I am now subscribed to this discussion. If your students have questions, let them post here too.

I am an active glider pilot and an acrive competition pilot. I am not a designer nor do I build many kits but I may be able to provide some help.

A couple of questions to help my understanding.

1) this is a class project, right? You are not really going to produce the kits.

2) Why 3 airfoils in one kit?

3) What is your market? Beginners, intermediate or advanced? Sport or competition pilots? Pure gliders or electric? Thermal or slope?

4) Target price range?



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President, Eastern Soaring League www.flyesl.com
Present on the flying field whenever possible.

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RE: Balsa Wood Gliders Project - 11/26/2009 4:45 PM   
DRSS


 

Posts: 3
Score: 100
Joined: 11/23/2009
Last Login: 12/16/2009
From: Dayton, OH, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for the reply!  

For my portion of the project, I think I'll probably have the students utilize an outside survey program and simply paste the link in this forum.  I checked out the polling option of this forum but I don't think it will achieve exactly what I was hoping to; namely, to download the data for use in a presentation.  To answer some of your questions specifically:

1) this is a class project, right? You are not really going to produce the kits. 

    Correct.  The students will be producing only a "prototype" of the kits.  The students will be utilizing a simulation program to help them see, if they actually did produce and sell the kits, whether or not the would make a profit.

2) Why 3 airfoils in one kit?

   The three airfoils are to have the airplane accomplish three different tasks:  one foil to allow the glider to fly a long, straight distance, one that allows it to do tricks and stunts, and another to help the plane achieve accuracy when thrown toward a target.

3) What is your market? Beginners, intermediate or advanced? Sport or competition pilots? Pure gliders or electric? Thermal or slope?

   Beginners, most assuredly.  Our market is 8 - 12 year old children, so the students will need to keep that in mind as they build and create the marketing plan for it.  The planes should be something that the average child could take it and fly it pretty quickly.

4) Target price range?

    I'm not too sure on the price just yet.  That's one reason for the use of this forum, to see what people might pay for something like this.  The students will conduct research to find out what comparable kits would go for and then, based on their objective of earning a profit, they will make their decision based on the feed back from this forum.

I hope that helps!  Thanks again for your reply!

kevin



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RE: Balsa Wood Gliders Project - 11/26/2009 9:12 PM   
aeajr



Posts: 6255
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Joined: 1/14/2003
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From: Long Island, NY, USA
Status: offline 		OK,

Some practical input.

The typical hand thrown balsa glider for an 8 year old is about $1.50 and is sold by the cash register. Some have rubber bands and for for about $4.

The next type up from that would be made of styrofoam or some other kind of more resiliant foam. Typically $5-$12 with a 2-5 foot wing span.

I don't recall ever seeing a kit of any kind with three air foils, so this will be a unique offering.

_____________________________

President, Long Island Silent Flyers www.lisf.org
President, Eastern Soaring League www.flyesl.com
Present on the flying field whenever possible.

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