SCIENCE FAIR TOPICS

The following is an index to children’s books on the topics of air and flight. It is a guide to actual experiments and projects. The books included in the index range in grade level from early elementary through high school.

Aerodynamics

Study how the shape of a paper helicopter affects its flight. Inquiring and Problem-Solving in the Physical Sciences by Vincent N. Lunetta, p. 23.

Study how the shapes of different parachutes affect their flight. Inquiring and Problem-Solving in the Physical Sciences by Vincent N. Lunetta, p. 25.

Investigate aircraft stability by using a homemade kite. Experimenting With Air and flight by Ormiston Walker, p. 47.

Air--Thermal Properties

Learn about convection by demonstrating that hot air rises and cold air descends. Experiments That Explore the Greenhouse Effect by Martin J. Gutnik, p. 24.

Create a situation in which temperature inversion occurs. Observe its effect on the surrounding environment. Experiments That Explore the Greenhouse Effect by Martin J. Gutnik, p. 24.

An experiment using a balloon, a straw, and a candle to find out which is heavier, warm air or cold air. Balloon Science by Etta Kaner, p. 64.

Demonstrate how air takes up space, has weight, and is affected by temperature changes. Simple Weather Experiments With Everyday Materials by Muriel Mandell, p. 48.

Demonstrate that warm air rises and cool air contracts. Science Mini-Mysteries: Easy-to-Do Experiments by Sandra Markle, p. 7.

An experiment with an egg, a bottle, and hot and cold air that will force the egg into the bottle. Fun With Science Magic by Donald McCarthy, p. 30.

An experiment illustrating that wind, the movement of air, is the result of an uneven heating and cooling of the earth’s atmosphere. Wondrous Plant and Earth Experiments by Q. L. Pearce, p. 38

An activity using a fan and a baking pan full of water which shows that the rate of cooling increases as the rate of evaporation also increases. Science for Kids: 39 Easy Meteorology Experiments by Robert W. Wood, p. 35.

Air--Weight

Two easy-to-perform activities which demonstrate that air has weight and can be measured. Experiments With Air by Ray Broekel, p. 19.

Two experiments which demonstrate that air has weight and that it takes up space. Experiments That Explore the Greenhouse Effect by Martin J. Gutnik, p. 12.

Demonstrate how air takes up space, has weight, and is affected by temperature changes. Simple Weather Experiments With Everyday Materials by Muriel Mandell, p. 43.

Air Flow

Use a balloon in this simple activity, to discover what a jet of air is and how it moves. Experiments With Air by Ray Broekel, p. 33.

Test the effects of air currents on different shapes. Experimenting With Air and Flight by Ormiston Walker. P. 18.

Observe soap bubbles as they follow the paths of air currents. Science Sensations by Diane Willow, p. 55.

Air Pressure

Crush a plastic bottle without using your hands. An activity that demonstrates the force of air pressure. The Science Book of Air by Neil Ardley, p. 18.

Cover a burning candle with a glass jar and observe what happens to the air inside the jar as the candle’s flame burns. The Science Book of Air by Neil Ardley, p. 22.

Make a blowpipe and demonstrate how air pressure can be use to hold a ping-pong ball in midair without any visible support. The Science Book of Air by Neil Ardley, p. 24.

Make a model airplane wing to demonstrate how differences in air pressure enable birds and aircraft to fly. The Science Book of Air by Neil Ardley, p. 12.

Two experiments with drinking straws and liquid which show that air exerts pressure. Experiments With Straws and Paper by Ray Broekel, p. 9.

An experiment showing how air holds water in an upside down glass. Experiments With Straws and Paper by Ray Broekel, p. 16.

Simple experiment showing how reduced air pressure causes a piece of paper to blow away. Experiments With Straws and Paper by Ray Broekel, p. 21.

Investigate the characteristics of air and water pressure. Forces and Machines by Robert Garner, p. 63.

Using a vacuum cleaner, jar, and balloon, discover why your ears pop in airplanes and in elevators. Balloon Science by Etta Kaner, p. 24

Predict what will happen when two partially filled bottles of water are connected with a hose. Inquiring and Problem-Solving in the Physical Sciences by Vincent N. Lunetta, p. 102.

Find out if air exerts pressure in all directions. Science Mini-Mysteries: Easy-to-Do Experiments by Sandra Markle, p. 9.

Experiment with the relative strength of gravity, air pressure and vacuum. Adventures With Atoms and Molecules by Robert C. Mebane, p. 29.

Experiment showing how survival in space suits depends on air and temperature. Science Experiments for the space Age by Sam Rosenfeld, p. 92.

This demonstration shows what happens when the balance of pressure is upset. How to Be a Space Scientist by Seymour Simon, p. 47.

Using a drinking glass, a paper towel, and a sink full of water, demonstrate that air exerts pressure and that it takes up space. Looking at Weather by David Suzuki, p. 18.

Test how balloons react to different pressures, air currents, etc. Experimenting With Air and Flight by Ormiston Walker, p. 71.

Demonstrate how the force of air pressure can propel model boats, submarines, rocket cars, monorails, and whirlaways. Balloons: Building and Experimenting With Inflatable Toys by Bernie Zubrowski, p. 19.

Build a device that measures the force of air escaping from a balloon. Balloons: Building and Experimenting With Inflatable Toys by Bernie Zubrowski, p. 19.

Air Flow

Can you blow out a candle with a straw even if the object is placed between you and the candle? Find out how the movement of air affects its pressure. The Science Book by Neil Ardley, p. 21.

By creating low pressure between two balloons, produce the type of lift that airplanes use to fly. Balloon Science by Etta Kaner, p. 18.

Discover whether fast moving air exerts more or less pressure than slow-moving air. Science Mini-Mysteries: Easy-to-Do Experiments by Sandra Markle, p. 11

Attempt to blow out a candle with different objects obstructing the flame. Simple Science Experiments With Ping-Pong Balls by Eiji Orii, p. 3.

Flight

Make a model airplane wing to demonstrate how differences in air pressure enable birds and aircraft to fly. The Science Book of Air by Neil Ardley, p. 24.

Make a model paper airplane shaped like the Concorde to demonstrate how shape can affect the speed of an aircraft’s flight. The Science Book of Air by Neil Ardley, p. 26.

Make model airplanes out of different construction materials. Alter the design elements of the planes and observe how their flight is affected as a result. Up, Up and Away: The Science of Flight by David Darling, p. 22.

Experiment with Sycamore seeds to discover how this tree uses "flying seeds" to reproduce. Projects With Flight by John Williams, p. 17.