Pencil Copter

[Old Scout]

I misplaced my directions for a pencil copter that I found on the forum & would like to find it again since it worked with kids!! Help

[Teacher_of_the_Arcane]

Pencil copter.....Boy Scout age kids???

Don

[Buffalo Bif]

Is this it:
Woodcarving Illustrated - How To Magazine for Carvers - Whittle a Flying Propeller

[Old Scout]

Buffalo Bif you are a Jewel!!! I just finished a 4 week stint teaching Woodcarving Merit badge at our Scout Camp,[ about 50 boys earned the badge] also introduced about 55 adult leaders to the basics. One leader wanted me to work with his younger son[Cub] ,but I was set up for Scouts & adults, so couldn't help. I have used the Pencil Copter with Webelos before but couldn't remember the dim. They need to be right or they wont fly. So you made my DAY!!!

[AlArchie]

Don, "Scout age kids" are from late 10 to 18. The 10, 11, and even 12 year olds, even in this era of computers, ipods, cell phones and the like are still fascinated by the simple gadgets our grandparents played with as kids. Anything they can make that moves, pops, makes noise or puzzles can hold their attention and cause them to question all sorts of physical principals. The basic principals are still the same, just applied to more complex concepts. Math and physics are still the same and presented in a form that grabs a 10 year old's attention can engender thought processes that may lead to who know what?

That simple "pencil propeller" contais all the aerodynamic principals that led to flight and even the now retired space shuttle!

All we have to do is ignite that simple spark of interest, then let the fire burn!.

Al

[Old Scout]

You are so right, I assumed all knew Scout ages, Bear Cubs & Webelows range 7-11. I prefer kids over 12-13 due to hand strength. My good friend & Mentor , Jeff Springer of Topeka Ks.revised the latest Merit Badge book & I find it to be a great fundamental Carving instruction book.I have had the privilege of teaching fundamentals at Scout Camp & other places for the past 25 years approx. 6000 people have learned the basics, several have become addicted to Carving

[Teacher_of_the_Arcane]

Mr. Bif....thanks for the URL !!!

Yes...my question was 'Boy Scout age kids', because I work with the Scouts....anything that can keep them focused for two or three meetings or a weekend of camping !!

Don

[Old Scout]

Pencil Copters work good with Webelos, probably first year Scouts. {in my experience]

[AlArchie]

Don, I didn't mean to imply that one of these little copters would serve to keep scouts of any age occupied for a full meeting, let alone several, but a ways back when I was a SM (for 30 some years) I used this little gem as a teaching aid for the Aviation Merit Badge. One of the requirements back then was to design and make a model airfoil, and exp[lain how a propeller generates thrust. Actually, all a prop is is a rotating airfoil, so carving one of these and "flying" it served as an introduction. We then continued on to have the scouts design several different airfoils and test them in a home brewed wind tunnel.

This is what I meant by setting the spark and watching the fire grow. I probably misunderstood your question and simply tried to get across the idea that simple principles can develop into interesting hobbies, and even careers.

Al

[Teacher_of_the_Arcane]

Al, Not to worry.....my communication skills via computer are not the best. Anyone who's been involved in Scouting as long as you have should be titled "National Treasure" like the Japanese do. It's organizations like the Scouts that prepare our young for a difficult future.

I'll put something together on the pencil copter for our fall camporee....I'm thinking of laying out a target on the ground, and having the kids fly their copters into the target for a score (similar to clout shooting with a bow).

Thanks for the insights !!

Don