Science Fair Wing Lift Project

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My kid decided to create an impressive science fair exhibit demonstrating how an airfoil works (3rd grade). It was a great opportunity for us to spend quality time together and have some fun. The wing was precision-cut from rigid foam at Home Depot using our CNC router - we took safety precautions, with my son wearing a respirator and me learning a valuable lesson. Alternatively, you can 3D print this design with excellent results. To create a smooth surface for the metal support rods, grommets were inserted through the wing's rigid foam. This allowed for uninhibited lift to occur as we placed the wing in front of a diffused fan. We used a "Vornado" room fan for our experiment. I repurposed some scrap metal rod and attached it to some scrap wood using tight-fit holes drilled into the wood. The highlight of our display was demonstrating how the airfoil creates lift. By flipping the wing over, we showed that lift is still generated in the opposite direction (pressing the wing down onto the wood surface). To enhance the exhibit's realism, I suggest placing a filter or window screen in front of the fan to distort the vortex created by its airflow. There was an issue with the fan's vortex, so we designed and CNC-cut a fan diffuser from corrugated plastic. This diffuser is placed in front of the fan to reduce the circular airflow pattern. It's not essential, but it adds an extra layer of authenticity to our exhibit.