E-hovercraft session manual

Session Goals
In this class, Pupils will
 Learn and understand the concept of Pressure difference include Thrust,
Weight, Lift and drag.
 Apply the concept through E-hovercraft Kit.
 Be able to demonstrate the working through activity.

Resources
 A kit model E-hovercraft completely assembled along with its
procedures being taught in this session for reference.
 Session PowerPoint presentation including activity procedure for easy
execution of the session.

Materials
 E-hovercraft kit.
 Arduino UNO.
 Propellers*4.
 DC Motors*4.

Suggested Session Plan

Step 1: -Warm up – 5 mins

 Greet students and welcome them to the class. Ask one or two students
about our how was their past week.
 Run a quick revision through the class. Ask 3-4 students about how
much they remember from the previous class.

Step 2: - Introduction – 10 mins

 Talk to students about today’s class. Ask them whether they have ever
heard the term ‘hovercraft’.
 Ask 3-4 students about the same and ask if they can explain anything on
the topic.
 Introduce students about hovercraft. Also explain them about
aerodynamic forces, pressure difference and Surface tension.
 Give them examples of aerodynamic forces, pressure difference and
Surface tension from real life.
 Why we use E-hovercraft and what we can do with this.

Step 3: - ‘Vocabulary Session’ – 5 mins

Lift: To lift something means to move it from a lower position to a

higher position. Airplane wings generate lift to keep the airplane flying
in the sky. Helicopter blades generate lift by pushing air towards the
ground. Also tell the students that lift is created by a pressure difference.
Thrust: A particle to propel something means to push it forward.

Step 4: - ‘Explanation of E-Hovercraft with example

4.1.1Thrust-
To propel something means to push it forward. The propulsion force is
given by the engine of the vehicle. In terms of aircrafts and spacecrafts,
we refer to propulsion as thrust. The thrust force is provided either by a
jet engine (aircrafts) or a rocket engine (spacecrafts).
4.1.2 Surface tension.
Surface tension is a force which causes a layer of liquid such as water or
milk to behave like an elastic sheet. Give them the example of a spider
walking on water. A spider can walk on the water because its legs create
 very little pressure on the water surface, which does not break the
surface of the water. Hence the spiders can walk on water. 
4.2 Hovercraft-
 A hovercraft is a boat type vehicle which can travel on water and
on land.
 Ask the students where they think hovercrafts are used. If they can
tell they are used in rescue operations and the military, praise them.
If they do not have any idea, tell them hovercrafts are used for
search and rescue operations, as a transport and for sporting events.

  
Figure 4.1 – hovercraft

Step 5: - ‘The procedure of building Mechanical Catapult’

1. Tell your student to find the kit in which E-Hovercraft is written

and then ask them what are the things they found in it.

2. Ask your students to attach all the connecting parts of E-hovercraft

step by step by following their trainers and download Bluetooth
terminal to operate the E-hovercraft.
 3. Activity is ready to use it. Now you can switch on Arduino UNO
and Switch on the Bluetooth of your phone then download
Bluetooth terminal app and operate the movement of E-hovercraft

Step 6: - ‘Discussion’ – 10 mins

 Conclude the session. Ask your students to place back all the tools
at their required station.
 Repeat verbally the activities done by the students and ask if they
have any doubts.

Step 7: - ‘Ready for next session’ – 5 mins

 Talk about the next session.

 Talk about different types of hovercraft.
 Explain E-Hovercraft in simple ways.
 Talk about aerodynamic forces.