Curated OER
Flying Tube
Students investigate how a spinning paper tube generates lift as it travels forward.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: A Change in the Winds: Studying Bernoulli's Principle
You can actually make objects come together by blowing air between them. This is a simple way of implementing Bernoulli's principle. Find out how wind changes air pressure to bring to objects together in this easy and fun science fair...
Library of Congress
Loc: The Dream of Flight
The Library of Congress has opened its vast resources and created an exhibition commemorating the centennial of flight. The library uses "some of its rarest and most significant materials," to present this aviation history exhibit. Be...
Library of Congress
Loc: The Dream of Flight
The Library of Congress has opened its vast resources and created an exhibition commemorating the centennial of flight. The Library uses "Some of its rarest and most significant materials," to present this beautiful website. Be sure to...
Other
Plane Math: Activities: Plane Math Enterprises (Design an Airplane)
Students are trained on how to design an airplane. The activity demonstrates how math applies to aeronautics.
Other
Faa: Office for Commercial Space Transportation
The official homepage of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, a section of the Federal Aviation Administration dedicated to commercial launches into space
Other
Allstar Network: Wing Design
The principles of aircraft wing design are presented. Illustrated with diagrams and pictures.
NASA
Nasa Homepage
The official homepage of NASA, the United States' primary space exploration organization.
NASA
Nasa: Flight: What Is Lift?
An explanation of the role lift plays in airplane take-off and flight.
Other
Aviation Internet Group: Aviation Theory
Collection of articles ranging from basic to advanced on aerodynamics theory.
University of Chicago
Flights Before the Wrights: Octave Chanute, Chicago
A site that chronicles the life of Octave Chanute, an aeronautical engineer involved in flight before the Wright brothers.
University of Chicago
Flights Before the Wrights: Octave Chanute, Chicago
A site that chronicles the life of Octave Chanute, an aeronautical engineer involved in flight before the Wright brothers.
Other
Ken Blackburn: Paper Airplanes
Information on paper airplane designs, history, and contests. Click on "Paper Airplane Aerodynamics" for an analysis of the world record holding paper airplane design.
Other
Desktop Aeronautics, Inc.: Airfoils
This chapter from an online demonstration textbook discusses airfoils. Basic concepts are explained, as well as complex equations and diagrams.
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute Online: The Challenge of Flight
Think about the challenges that faced the Wright Brothers, then see if you can design and fly your own model aircraft. There are other sources provided to help you along the way.
Other
All Star: Airfoils
The basic theories of aeronautics are explained through several airfoil activities and animations. Click on Level 2 or 3 for an easier reading level.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Inventor of the Week: Orville & Wilbur Wright
This article briefly summarizes the Wright Brothers' scientific curiosity and ambitions which fueled their desire to create the first flying machine.
NASA
Nasa: Flight: What Is Drag?
Understand the concept of drag and find out how it affects the movement of airplanes.
MadSci Network
Mad Scientist Network: How Do Planes Fly Upside Down?
Question and answer regarding the physics principles that apply to a plane flying upside down.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Third From the Sun
This site offers a short history of the evolution of the space program and man's quest for more revealing and detailed pictures of the earth.
My Hero Project
My Hero: Jules Verne
Jules Verne, who wrote over 80 books during his lifetime, is best known for his "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." This article includes several images and related links.
Curated OER
Smithsonian Libraries: Jacques Etienne Montgolfier (1745 1799)
A portrait of Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier from the Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology, made available through the Smithsonian Institution's Scientific Identity Collection.