1. PLANET PICKS – news from the world of Planet Science...

News from the world of Planet Science...

Just a quick newsflash to remind you to round up all your younger relatives and friends for the Hay-Wire Club as there are still some Frisbees left. Signing up is simple. Just tell them to visit the following link and to follow the instructions online:
http://www.planet-science.com/wired/hay-wire/clubhouse

Once inside the clubhouse (cleverly disguised as a stack of hay!) they'll find a whole stack of things to do, like taking part in our scientific survey called Apologyology, or playing a needle and haystack game.

We recommend Hay-Wire to kids aged 11 and under but if you're around that age range and you fancy signing up then feel free!

Have you visited the Planet Science website lately? If not then make sure you enter the Hula Quiz before it's too late. We have three great skateboards for the lucky winners. Here's the link:
http://www.planet-science.com/wired/comp_quiz/08_04_Pacific/index.html

2. SCINET - you don't have to surf the Internet alone...

If you're a Robot Wars fan then you really should enter the 'Robodoodle' competition on The Open University's Robofesta website at:
http://robodoodle.open.ac.uk

All you have to do is use the online sketchpad to draw a really useful robot that could help out at home, work or in school. Give the robot a name, describe what it does and enter it into the competition. There will be prizes for the Robodoodles the judges think are the most inventive, and even if you don't win a prize your robot will still feature in the 2004 online gallery.

What are you waiting for? Get doodling now as the competition ends soon...

3. YOU WHAT? - facts that might make you go 'ro-botty'!

The word 'robot' was first used in the 20th century and comes from the Czechoslovakian word 'robota' or 'robotnik' meaning slave, servant, or forced labour.

The UK's favourite fictional robot is R2D2 from Star Wars, according to a BBC poll earlier this year.

There is a football championship, called Robocup, which features all types of different robots playing football against one another!

In 2002, a robot called Gaak escaped from the Magna science centre, Rotherham. The robot crept along a barrier until it found a gap and squeezed through. It was found unharmed outside the centre.

4. GEAR FOR GRABS - you've got to be in it to win it...

Starting with this week, and for the next two issues of Wired-Up, we're giving away an Air Hogs Eradicator - a model aeroplane that burns through the sky, reaching unbelievable heights and soaring incredible distances! Here's the science:

Air Hogs are the first model aeroplanes to use air-pressure as a means of propulsion. The heart of the technology is the R.A.I.D. air pressure engine. When the Air Hog is secured into its docking station, a pump fills an internal chamber. As the pressurised air is released, it powers an actual cylinder and piston engine. The piston in turn spins a propeller, which drives the plane.

So now you know how it works, you'll want to know how to win one. It's simple, but first you need to answer this question:

What is the name for the teardrop-like cross-section shape of an aeroplane's wing?

Next, send your answer to: randomised.news@nesta.org.uk with 'I'M A HIGH FLYER!' in the subject box. Lastly, keep your fingers crossed for the draw on Thursday at 5pm! For another chance to win the Eradicator, keep your eyes peeled for next Friday's Wired-Up...

5. TRY THIS - turn your kitchen into a lab...

Make your very own simple aeroplane wing.

Stuff You Need:

• Piece of paper 16.5cm x 12cm
• Sticky tape
• String
• Pencil
• Ruler

What To Do:

1. Along the 16.5cm side of the paper, draw vertical lines at 3cm and at 10cm.
2. Now turn the piece of paper lengthways so that the 10cm line is horizontal and nearest to you.
3. Make a fold along that 10cm line.
4. Then take the flap of paper folded at the 10cm line and line it up with the line at 3cm. Stick it in place.
5. Turn the shape over and look at it from the side. The bottom of the shape should be straight whereas the top should be a curve.
6. Now thread a piece of string through the shape and along the fold at 10cm. Bring each end of the string to the front of the shape and tie a knot, leaving a loose piece of string to pull the shape along with.
7. Run whilst holding the string.

You Will Notice:

The aeroplane wing flies behind you! You've made your very own aerofoil - an aeroplane wing-shape that cuts through the air in such a way that it creates lift. Look at your aerofoil from the side and imagine it travelling through the air. Air travelling over the top of the wing (over the curved surface) has further to travel so it travels faster than the air travelling under the straight side. This reduces the air pressure on the upper surface and makes the air pressure on the lower surface lift the wing upwards. This is exactly how aeroplane wings help aeroplanes to stay in the air.

Got Wired-Up? Got clued up!

See you in seven...

In the meantime, please send any questions, comments, jokes or experiment ideas to: randomised.news@nesta.org.uk

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