Almost everyone is familiar with the Franklin's famous kite experiment…

Plan a Benjamin Franklin kiting event, and stir up excitement about the show!

	For more information on kiting in your area, contact kite flying clubs in your area. To find the club nearest you, visit The American Kitefliers Association.
	At the web site, you can find Local clubs and retailers by clicking on "table of contents" and choosing "Regional Resources."
	To locate a good place for your event, click on "table of contents" and choose "Favorite Flying Fields"

Suggestions for "Franklin"-izing your kiting event

Sponsor a kite-making contest
Give awards for design, flying performance and originality. Since Franklin was a world-renowned scientist, you could reward participants for their understanding of the science behind kites (science-fair style). For younger students, awards can reflect effort and creativity, rather than the success of their kite's flight.

Invite a Franklin impersonator
Have him give a first-person account of Franklin's kite experiment. Your "Franklin" can interact with attendees and bestow the contest awards.
-For help finding a local impersonator, contact the Actors' Equity Assocation. You can find the number for your regional office at www.actorsequity.org.

Share the science behind Franklin's kite experiment
Contact local physics teachers and professors. They are great resources for the science behind Ben's experiment, and may be willing to give a short presentation. For more information on Ben's experiments with electricity, visit http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/exp_shocking.html

More Science
Franklin's electric kite experiment isn't the only physics lesson kites provide. They are also a great way to discuss flight principles. Invite a teacher or professor to discuss how the scientific method can be utilized to improve kite flight and stability.

Pair with a like-minded organization
Take advantage of groups that already exist. For example, high-school physics teachers could use this event during class to teach electricity or flight principles. Likewise, an organization like the YMCA might appreciate your help in fostering child-parent after school activities.

Take home gifts
Send participants home with a bookmark or poster that encourages them to watch the show. Visit our print pieces page to print these collateral materials. Since the back of the bookmark is blank, you could even add a kiting-specific tagline. For instance, "Franklin flies again! November 19th & 20th on PBS."