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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Scientific American: Flying High: Bird Man

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Investigate and demonstrate principles of flight with the Flying Tim Bird. Draw a hypothetical model of the mechanism inside the toy bird that makes the wings flap, then experiment with and videotape its flight to explain how lift works...
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Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Third Law of Motion

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This Illinois Institute of Technology site is a lesson plan and lab that utilizes a toy rocket to investigate Newton's third law. Includes directions and practical applications.
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Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Lab Activity: Helicopter

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The Illinois Institute of Technology lets young scholars investigate the aerodynamics of a helicopter, focusing on the variables which effect the lift, thrust, drag, and weight. Students investigate the effects of aerodynamics on a wide...
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Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Lab Work: Come Fly With Me

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site by the Illinois Institute of Technology lets students use a vacuum cleaner hose, ping pong balls, straws and other materials to investigate the effect of moving air upon the surfaces which it hits. Principles are applied as...
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Unit Plan
NASA

Nasa: Beginner's Guide to Aerodynamics

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from NASA discusses application of Newton's first law of motion to airplane motion. Includes a graphic and an accompanying explanation.
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Activity
Museum of Science

Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago: Activities: Make and Fly a Helicopter

For Students 3rd - 8th
Print and cut out the template for the helicopter. Then experiment with adding and subtracting weight, or changing the shape of the copter or the blades to see what makes it fly best.