Soar! Building, Flying Tetrahedron Kite Is Pupil Math, Science Lesson

NEW HAVEN, CT — For centuries, kites have been built and flown for fun, but importantly, for science, from meteorological applications to the eventual development of airplanes, military and space age science. In 1901, Alexander Graham Bell designed and built his tetrahedral kite prototype: "A three-dimensional rigid kite that, when connected together, can be built to any size without having to have thicker and stronger sticks as the kite grows bigger."

Last week, East Rock Community Magnet School students built and flew their own tetrahedron kites, the culmination of New Haven Public Schools' Science Week.

Middle school students across the district are building tetrahedron kites, designed to demonstrate the connection between science and mathematics. The tetrahedron kite project has been made possible by a donation from Trevi Therapeutics.

Superintendent Dr. Madeline Negrón visited the kids as they crafted their kites and then raised them to the sky.

The goal of the Science Week program is to work with children and teachers from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 to help them carry out investigative hands-on projects in order to promote skills in critical thinking, scientific process, and communication, the district noted in a news release.

The New Haven Science Week Program is administered by Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce.