Each group needs:

• 1 piece of writing paper and 1 pencil, for each student
• cardboard tube, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long x ~1 inch (~2.5 cm) in diameter; such as from toilet paper or paper towel rolls
• 6-8 standard-sized Popsicle sticks (4.5-inch long x 3/8-inch wide, or 11.43-cm long x .95-cm wide); exact quantity depends on the group’s design
• 12 inches (30 cm) of masking tape
• 1-2 rubber bands; exact quantity depends on the group’s design
• aluminum foil, at least a 12 x 12-inch (30 x 30-cm) square
• 2-4 standard plastic drinking straws; exact quantity depends on the group’s design
• scissors
• Solar Sails Worksheet, one per student

For a testing station that all groups use:

• 5-10 meters of fishing line, 20-50 g weight
• 2 chairs or desks, or other solid-surface on which to tie the fishing line
• large box fan or other strong fan
• tape measure
• Graphic of Solar Sail Designs, as an overhead transparency or handout