This is how teaching should be done. From this exercise alone you can teach students math, science, art and physical exercise. Not just as an intellectual discipline but in a way that they can relate to and experiment with.
For anyone interesting in a different approach to teaching I can recommend Seymore Paperts book "Mindstorms" where he talks about using computers to teach math to kids. It's written in the eighties and quite fascinating.
The other end of the same game... An (unpowered) "toy" glider with just a hill and the wind to provide the energy, does 445mph! Thats over half the speed of sound, with no motor...
Minor nit: "Origami" usually refers to paper models made through folding, without cutting or gluing. Since these models involve cutting and taping (and almost no folding), they might be better described as "kirigami", "papercraft", or simply "paper".
What an amazing teacher. Its difficult enough keeping students engaged and interested, but to do it while simultaneously following scientific principles (hypothesis, repetitive experimentation, proof) is a feat. This is the way to teach science.
I was just watching my son in the bath, learning how to squeeze the rubber ducky to make bubbles and fountains. I can't wait till he's old enough to do things like this with.
Have anyone tried this with fishing line connected to the glider and the laptop and had it flying "forever" besides the laptop (diverting the fan outflow with a piece of paper)? Is it even possible?
For anyone interesting in a different approach to teaching I can recommend Seymore Paperts book "Mindstorms" where he talks about using computers to teach math to kids. It's written in the eighties and quite fascinating.