Electric helicopter animation
Can you make an electric helicopter with a rotor that switches on and off? Use this animation to introduce this challenge to pupils.
How can I use this with my class?
In this challenge, your class will be walked through the steps to design and make a model helicopter using knowledge of electricity and forces. Complete the circuits and materials and forces worksheet before starting the activity.
Give students the planning sheet to do after or while they watch the instructional videos. They can make and test their helicopters, finishing with the evaluation and self-check activity to reflect on their work.
Download the resources below and come back here when you’re ready to watch the videos.
What's inside
Just want one of the lesson resources? No problem…
Electric helicopter circuits
Label the components of a model helicopter circuit and interpret circuit diagrams using this activity sheet.
Electric helicopter evaluation sheet
A structured sheet to support pupils as they evaluate their electric helicopters.
Electric helicopter materials and forces
Label helicopter parts, identify forces acting on a helicopter and decide on the best materials for different parts, using this activity sheet.
Electric helicopter planning sheet
A structured sheet to support pupils as they plan their electric helicopters.
Electric helicopter presentation
Use this presentation to give pupils ideas for their own electric helicopter designs.
Electric helicopter self-check
A skills and knowledge self-assessment sheet for pupils to complete after they have designed, made and evaluated their electric helicopters.
Electric helicopters real examples
A presentation with photos and a video clip showing a variety of designs for real electric helicopters.
Electric helicopters: How to make a base
A step-by-step video showing how to make the landing gear and fuselage (base) of the helicopter using blocks of wood and lolly sticks.
Electric helicopters: How to make a circuit
A step-by-step video showing how to make a simple circuit that will make the helicopter's rotor blades turn.
Electric helicopters: How to make a rotor
A step-by-step video showing how to make the rotor of the helicopter using a motor and a paper straw.
Electric helicopters: How to make a switch
A step-by-step video showing how to make a switch using a block of wood, drawing pins and a paperclip.
Want to make a career connection?
Learn about careers related to this lesson…
Meet a field service engineer video
Watch James, a field service engineer (who mends electric charging points) at work, and find out about the knowledge and skills he needs for success.
Meet a field service engineer presentation
Use this presentation to inspire your pupils to think about a potential future career and link learning about electricity to the real-world.
Meet a field service engineer job card
Inspire your pupils to think about a potential future career and link learning about electricity to the real-world, with this job-role card.
Meet a data analyst video
Watch Imisi, a data analyst (who works with electric vehicles) at work and find out about the knowledge and skills she needs for success.
Meet a data analyst presentation
Use this presentation to inspire your pupils to think about a potential future career and link learning about electricity to the real-world.
Meet a data analyst job role card (primary)
Inspire your pupils to think about a future career and link learning about electricity and data to the real-world, with this job-role card.
Related content
Discover other resources around this topic…
Electricity and batteries
Discover the science of electricity, link learning to the real-world of electric vehicles and inspire pupils with people in real careers.
36 items
Circuits
Learn about circuits, using virtual experiments and activity sheets. Cover core principals such as what makes a fair test, results tables, and graphs.
5 items
Download the full lesson
Be a battery investigator
Enquiry-based resources exploring how batteries work.
2 items
Download the full lesson
Super scientist: Nikola Tesla
Learn about Nikola Tesla, the engineer and inventor and build awareness of the importance of business in science and promote one of Nikola’s products.
4 items
Download the full lesson
Design an electric vehicle challenge
A real-life electric vehicle field service engineer and a data analyst guide pupils through the basic science of circuits and electric vehicles before they take on a real-life challenge to design an innovative electric vehicle of their own.
6 items
Download the full lesson