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Activity
Other

Desktop Aeronautics, Inc.: Airfoils

For Students 9th - 10th
This chapter from an online demonstration textbook discusses airfoils. Basic concepts are explained, as well as complex equations and diagrams.
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Better by Design

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
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...
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Rockets on a Shoestring Budget

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this activity, students revisit the Pop Rockets activity from Lesson 3. This time, however, the design of their pop-rockets will be limited by budgets and supplies. They will get a feel for the limitations of a real engineering...
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Design a Parachute

For Teachers 6th - 8th
After a discussion about what a parachute is and how it works, students will create a parachute using different materials that they think will work best. The students will test their designs, which will be followed by a class discussion...
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Take Off With Paper Airplanes

For Teachers 5th - 7th
This lesson introduces students to the art of designing an airplane through paper airplane constructions. The goal is that students will learn important aircraft design considerations and how engineers must iterate their designs to...
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Are You in Control?

For Teachers 5th - 7th
This instructional activity teaches the engineering method for testing wherein one variable is changed while the others are held constant. Students compare the performance of a single paper airplane design while changing the shape, size...
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: What Makes Airplanes Fly?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students begin to explore the idea of a force. To further their understanding of drag, gravity and weight, they conduct activities that model the behavior of parachutes and helicopters. An associated literacy activity engages the class...
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Red Light, Green Light

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Building upon their understanding of forces and Newton's laws of motion, students learn about the force of friction, specifically with respect to cars. They explore the friction between tires and the road to learn how it affects the...
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Learn to Build a Rocket in 5 Days or Your Money Back

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this lesson, students discover the entire process that goes into designing a rocket for any customer. In prior lessons, students learned how rockets work, but now they learn what real-world decisions engineers have to make when...
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Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Wilbur and Orville Wright Papers

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Activity
The Franklin Institute

Franklin Institute Online: The Challenge of Flight

For Students 3rd - 8th
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.
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Website
Other

All Star: Airfoils

For Students 9th - 10th
The basic theories of aeronautics are explained through several airfoil activities and animations. Click on Level 2 or 3 for an easier reading level.
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Lesson Plan
Other

E Gfi: Lesson: Get a Lift

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson plan, learners are introduced to the four forces of flight-drag, lift, thrust, and weight-through a variety of fun-filled flight experiments. Students will "fly" for short periods and then evaluate factors that might...
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Activity
Maryland Science Center

Maryland Science Center: Cd Landspeeder [Pdf]

For Students 4th - 6th
Using simple materials, create your own hovercraft in celebration of Star Wars Day, and learn what makes it hover.
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Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Events That Led to the Invention of the Airplane

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover the history of the first airplanes and flying machines, and how the Wright brothers constructed their first successful airplane.
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Lesson Plan
Discovery Education

Discovery Education: Inventors and Inventions 2: Air and Space

For Teachers K - 1st
After discussing important flying inventions, students explore technological design by making paper airplanes.
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Handout
NASA

Nasa: Flight: What Is Drag?

For Students 9th - 10th
Understand the concept of drag and find out how it affects the movement of airplanes.
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Activity
NASA

Nasa: Glenn Research Center: Teamwork in Aerospace Activity

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learn about the principles of aerospace engineering and the importance of teamwork by designing and building a paper airplane for a "fly-off" competition. Lesson plan includes introduction to team structure, activity directions, and...
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Graphic
Curated OER

The Exploratorium Museum: The Science of Sports Cycling

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed look at the aerodynamic principles associated with cycling. Good science and even better web page design. Includes an online calculator that allows the user to calculate the aerodynamic drag and propulsive power of a bicyclist...
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Graphic
Curated OER

Aviation Internet Group: Aviation Theory

For Students 9th - 10th
Collection of articles ranging from basic to advanced on aerodynamics theory.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Roto Copter

For Students 3rd - 5th
Students can experiment with a home-made helicopter that lets them change the blades to see how real aerodynamics work.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Roto Copter

For Students 3rd - 5th
Students can experiment with a home-made helicopter that lets them change the blades to see how real aerodynamics work.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Roto Copter

For Students 3rd - 5th
Students can experiment with a home-made helicopter that lets them change the blades to see how real aerodynamics work.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in California: Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel

For Students 9th - 10th
This wind tunnel built in the 1950s allowed commercial and military aircraft as well as the Space Shuttle to be aerodynamically tested.

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