Students at Neil Armstrong Elementary prepare to fly ornithopters.

Students can build their own ornithopters using the Ornithopter Zone's beginner-level model kit, which has been specially designed for ease of construction. You will find education discounts on these kits in the online store.

Check out the free Teachers Guide for some lesson ideas and experiments kids can do. Language arts teachers often use Rodman Philbrick's book Freak the Mighty in their instruction. The title character in this story builds an ornithopter, and some teachers offer this as a project option for their students. It helps engage those students who may learn better with a hands-on approach. The book also deals with friendship, loss, accepting others' differences.

Teachers Guide in Adobe PDF format

The Teachers Guide now includes suggested rules for a student ornithopter contest! Students can use kits or their own designs and compete for the longest timed flight in your school gym or outdoors.