STEM Extravaganza at Home: Paper Kites

Create a paper kite that uses backyard wind power to fly! Explore the forces of lift, gravity, drag, and thrust as you make your kite soar.

Watch this video for more guidance on the activity!

Materials List: STEM Extravaganza at Home

We are excited for you to participate in Girlstart’s STEM Extravaganza @ Home! Gather materials and join us the week of August 10-15 for hands-on STEM fun.

8.10 Paper Kites
8.11 Cartesian Divers
8.12 Solar Ovens
8.13 Flying Dragonfly
8.14 Slurpee Science
8.15 Astronomy Day

* The following list contains affiliate links. Girlstart is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

8.10 – Paper Kites

Add materials to your Amazon shopping cart

  • Cotton string (5-10 feet)
  • Hole punch
  • Pen or pencil
  • 5 x 11-inch piece of paper
  • Plastic ribbon (6 feet) or plain ribbon (2 feet)
  • Ruler
  • Straw
  • Tape

8.11 – Cartesian Divers

Add materials to your Amazon shopping cart

  • Bowl (any size)
  • Empty plastic water bottle (any size is fine, although a 1L bottle works best)
  • Hot glue
  • Ketchup packets (or any type of condiment packet that is this shape)
  • Permanent markers
  • Water

8.12 – Solar Ovens

Add materials to your Amazon shopping cart

  • Aluminum foil
  • Black construction paper (optional)
  • Glue stick (optional)
  • Marshmallow
  • Plastic wrap
  • Small cardboard box with lid flaps (big enough to hold a marshmallow)
  • Small plate/bowl (optional)
  • Stick or dowel (used to prop up lid of carboard box)
  • Tape

8.13 – Flying Dragonfly

Add materials to your Amazon shopping cart

  • Empty cereal box or piece of cardstock
  • Hole punch
  • Pen or pencil
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Straw or wooden dowel
  • Tape

8.14 – Slurpee Science

Add materials to your Amazon shopping cart

  • 1 cup of your favorite beverage – juice, soda, water, etc.
  • ¼ cup salt (coarse salt works best)
  • 4 cups of ice
  • 2 gallon-sized baggies
  • 2 sandwich-sized baggies
  • Warm gloves or towel

8.15 – Astronomy Day

Add materials to your Amazon shopping cart

  • Black construction paper
  • Cardboard, foam board, or cork board (at least 4.5” x 4.5”)
  • Clear tape
  • Constellation Pattern Template (attached to lesson)
  • Giant push pin
  • Glue stick
  • Markers
  • Paper towel or toilet paper tube
  • Scissors