Using the News in your classroom:  Flying Bicycle

Remember the scene from the 1982  movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, when Elliott with E.T in his bicycle basket take flight? Scientists in the Czech Republic have developed a flying bicycle! Weighing about  210 pounds, the bicycle actually stayed in the air for about five minutes.  Remember, the Wright Brothers very first flight lasted 12 seconds and the Wright Flyer went just 120 ft!  Propellers powered by batteries give the flying bike the appearance of a tiny  helicopter. The first passenger was a dummy dressed in clothes and a helmut. The scientists say more battery life will be needed for an actual human passenger to go for a ride.

Extension Activities:

• Write a paragraph describing the expressions of people as you fly your bike over head.

• If you could fly your bike over a famous landmark, where would you wish to do this and why?

• When the Wright Brothers first suggested to sell their Wright Flyer to the US Army in 1905, it was turned down. Most people at the time thought there was no practical purpose for people using an airplane for transportation. It was considered just a dangerous sport!  Think of  ways in which a flying bicycle could be helpful.

Photograph from news.sky.com

Gail