Other
Aviation Internet Group: Aviation Theory
Collection of articles ranging from basic to advanced on aerodynamics theory.
NASA
Nasa: Beginner's Guide to Aeronautics
A website that catalogs information and activities for how airplanes work. The concept of aerodynamics is explained in full detail.
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.
Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum: Wright Brothers: Invention of the Aerial Age
Biographical details about the Ohio-born Wright brothers, who ushered in the aerial age with their invention of the first powered airplane.
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Wilbur and Orville Wright
Learn about the Dayton, Ohio brothers who are credited with inventing and flying the world's first successful airplane.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Fun With Bernoulli
While we know there is air around us all the time, we normally do not notice the air pressure. The purpose of this is activity is to use Bernoulli's Principle to manipulate air pressure so we can see its influence on the objects around us.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Bend That Bar
In this activity, the students will learn about material properties. They will learn that engineers must consider several material properties when designing. This activity focuses on strength-to-weight ratios and how sometimes the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: You're a Pushover!
The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate Newton's 3rd Law of Motion, which is the physical law that governs thrust in aircraft. The students will do several activities that show that for every action there is an equal and opposite...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Heads Up
The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate some of the different parts of an airplane through the construction of a paper airplane. Students will build several different kinds of paper airplanes in order to figure out what makes an...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Better by Design
The purpose of this activity is to use a scientific method to determine the effect of control surfaces on a paper glider. The students will construct a paper airplane/glider and test its performance to determine the base characteristics...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Let's Get It There Fast
The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate how aircraft have decreased the amount of time it takes to transport people and cargo. Students will compute the time it takes to travel between two cities for several modes of...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Balsa Glider Competition
The purpose of this activity is to bring together the students' knowledge of engineering and airplanes and the creation of a glider model to determine how each modification affects the flight. The students will use a design procedure...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Design a Flying Machine
The purpose of this activity is for the students to draw a design for their own flying machine. They will apply their knowledge of aircraft design and the forces acting on them. The students will start with a brainstorming activity where...
Library of Congress
Loc: Wilbur and Orville Wright Papers
Over 49,000 digitized primary documents having to do with the Wright brothers and their work with flight. A timeline of the brothers' work, a family tree, and other special presentations are offered.
NASA
Nasa: Weight and Balance Forces Acting on an Airplane
The effects of forces exerted on an airplane wing are discussed both conceptually and mathematically. Illustrations and sample problems and solutions are provided.
Read Works
Read Works: The Flying Machine
[Free Registration/Login Required] This informational text passage gives a brief history of the airplane and ideas that came before the invention. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills...
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.
Other
Uss Alabama Battleship Memorial Park: Aircraft Collection
Explore 25 of our nation's finest military aircraft on display in the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park collection.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: What Makes an Airplane Stall?
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about the science behind flying an airplane and play this simulation game to see the effects of wing profile, thrust, angle of attack, and airplane size.
NASA
Nasa: Beginner's Guide to Aerodynamics
Includes exhaustive information and a wealth of activities pertaining to aerodynamics and the physics of flight.
NASA
Nasa: Flight: What Is Drag?
Understand the concept of drag and find out how it affects the movement of airplanes.
Other
Uss Alabama Battleship Memorial Park: Military Equipment
Explore the military equipment located throughout the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: What Was Right About the Wright Brothers?
In this unit students will explore the lives of the Wright brothers. The end result will be a student-made documentary highlighting the factors that allowed the Wright brothers to succeed at manned flight when others before them had failed.
Starfall
Starfall: My First Flight
This is a story of a young girl who rides in an airplane for the first time. Children can read independently or click on the ear to have sentences read to them.