| Question | Where to find the answer |
| Which kite is right for my class?
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A sled or an Eddy kite are simple kites to start with but there are many possibilities. Using the right materials is critical. |
| How do I find help getting started?
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Contact your local kite club and ask for assistance and a demonstration. Usually they'd love to help! To contact club members in your area, see: http://classroom.kitingusa.com/resources.htm#People Many people have said that bringing in a kite expert is critical to the success of a kite workshop. |
Where can I buy string, sticks and sails?
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See http://www.kitebuilder.com/catalog/ They have a complete supply of kite sail materials, sticks, tubes, string, connectors and tools. Consider buying kits. |
| Where can I buy kits?
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Complete kits are available for multiple sources. See: http://classroom.kitingusa.com/resources.htm#Workshops |
| Are books available?
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Many books are available. There's a book called Kites in the Classroom that is available for free from the AKA. The book contains many pages of plans and other useful information for beginners and experts. Other books are available too, see: http://classroom.kitingusa.com/bib.htm |
| What experiments can my students perform?
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Students can perform a variety of aerodynamic experiments. It's better to start with a kite that flies than to experiment with a kite that doesn't fly. Changing the bridle point is simple and dramatic. Adding or removing tails. Measuring the angle of flight and calculating altitude. See the science links here: http://classroom.kitingusa.com/resources.htm#Science |
| Are there teachers who are willing to share their classroom experiences?
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Yes! Send email to
davisong@comcast.net to have your name listed here. Here's a class where students built tetra kites: http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/building-a-tetrahedral-kite/ |
| How can I help kids to build kites and get them to fly?
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Here is a wide variety of building
tips for different kites and situations:
http://hobbit.ict.griffith.edu.au/~anthony/kites/hints_tips.html
Here are some links about how to fly different kites: http://classroom.kitingusa.com/resources.htm#Fly |