Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Physics of Flight

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Three activities allow young flight engineers to understand the 4 principles of flight (weight, lift, thrust, and drag), to construct a glider, and to create a propeller. Multicultural history and literature are integrated by reading...
Lesson Plan
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Forces, Controls And Aircraft Systems

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners are introduced to the physics of flight through video and PowerPoint presentations. They construct and fly model gliders and compete for height, distance, time, etc.
Lesson Plan
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Aviation, Aeronautics and Aerodynamics

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students investigate the physics of flight through various experiments. In this physics lesson, students construct different flying objects. They explain the dynamics that make these object fly.
Lesson Plan
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Airplane Wings

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the aerodynamics of a wing and how it generates lift.  In this flight instructional activity students complete several experiments including how to build a paper plane and how airfoils affect performance.
Lesson Plan
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The Science of Flight in Relationship to Birds and Gliders

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study man's first form of flight which truly imitated the free-flight of birds--the glider. They examine such important contributions to the invention of the glider, such as Sir George Cayley, Jean Marie LeBris, Otto Lilienthal...
Lesson Plan
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Wind Tunnels

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students build a simple wind tunnel and test out 2 glider wing shapes at different angles of attack. They record their observations and results just as engineers do. There also is a "virtual wind tunnel" they can try to test aerodynamic...
Lesson Plan
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Flying the Friendly Skies

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students investigate aerodynamics by comparing and contrasting the flight of two gliders. They make prediction and observation charts and test a variety of hypotheses using paper gliders.
Lesson Plan
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Flight Physics

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Learners apply the knowledge of Bernoulli's Principle and construct simple aerodynamic designs. In this flight physics lesson, students explore the history of man's interest in flying and the forces influencing an object in flight by...
Lesson Plan
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Wind Tunnels

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students build a simple wind tunnel and test out 2 glider wing shapes at different angles of attack. They record results and their observations just as engineers do.
Lesson Plan
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Build Your Own Parachute

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Young scholars study the basics of parachuting.  In this flight and aerodynamics lesson students make a simple parachute and investigate different variables that can cause potential problems.
Lesson Plan
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The Invention of the Airplane

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students explore the history of the airplane and the Wright brothers.  In this aviation lesson plan students examine the Wright brothers stories and kites.
Lesson Plan
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Build a Paper Plane

For Teachers K - 12th
Students study the history of the paper plane.  In this design lesson students create several types of paper planes and determine if there is a difference in mean flight distances.