Maple Seed Flyer

Another cool idea from the William Mark Corporation. They took an actual maple seed (called a samara) and super-sized it. Using a sling shot, you launch the maple seed into the air. Once it attains maximum altitude it begins to autorotate (spin) toward the ground, exactly like samaras falling from maples, elms, sycamores and ashes. Excellent demonstration of surface area, air friction, the effect of gravity on a falling object, and potential and kinetic energy.

LL Demos & Labs: Maple Seed Flyer