Lesson Plan
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Wing Shapes and Areas

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students, after reading the explanation given below, use FoilSim to determine the weight of the aircraft that can be lifted by a pair of wings of each type. They also design a unique platform of a wing to lift a plane weighing 11500 pounds.
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Aerodynamics of a Boomerang

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils examine how aerodynamic forces affect the flight of aircraft, animals and sports balls and projectiles (like a javelin or boomerang). They discover the origins of the boomerang and early usage in hunting.
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Equation of State Problem Set

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers demonstrate their understanding of the equation of state by computing the gas constant from air properties. They use online research tools and apply integrated math problem-solving strategies to solve problems outside the...
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Wind Tunnel Aerodynamics Problem Set

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students, after reading an explanation from a NASA Web-based textbook, demonstrate an understanding of the text by applying it to the calculation of area, velocity, and pressure in a wind tunnel.
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Altitude and Flight Forces

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use the World Wide Web to access and use FoilSim. They also use the World Wide Web to access the NASA Glenn Web site for information relative to the factors involved with the flight of an airplane.
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Determining Center of Gravity

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students complete calculations involving the structure and properties of matter. They engage in a variety of problem solving activities to help them determine the center of gravity.
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Determining Center of Gravity

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students complete calculus calculations involving the structure and properties of matter and determining the center of gravity.
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Proof by Induction

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders define and prove theorems using induction. In this calculus lesson, 12th graders differentiate between inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning. They review sigma notations and work proofs by induction.
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Banana Man Glider

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students incorporate technology into the classroom as they investigate force and motion. In this science lesson, students construct a glider to be able to safely take a banana to the ground without dropping it. They investigate flight,...
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Forces in a Climb

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use a NASA website to use a given formula to find acceleration and distance after a specific time and how it relates to engine propulsion.
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Balsa Wood Airplane Flight and Speed Correlation

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders calculate the average speed of their balsa wood airplane. In this physics lesson, 9th graders build their own airplane and make necessary modifications to to make it fly straight. They interpret distance and time graph...
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Aeronautics Propulsion

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use the World Wide Web to access additional information needed to complete the activities on the forces on an airplane, the function of the stabilizer, and the calculation of Mach speed, temperature, pressure, and thrust.
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Forces in a Climb - Vectors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read Forces in a Climb from the Beginner's Guide to Propulsion, and explain each of the formulas using vectors.
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Drag Equation - Level 1

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students, after reading the Drag Equation page from the NASA Web site, demonstrate an understanding of this equation and how drag is dependent on the variables included in the equation.
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Drag Equation - Level 2

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students, after reading the Drag Equation page from the NASA Web-based textbook, demonstrate an understanding of this equation and how drag is dependent on the variables included in the equation.
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Density

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners, in groups, design a procedure to calculate the mass of gas molecules in the classroom by measuring the volume of the classroom and researching the density of air. They apply changes in air density with altitude and effects on a...
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Pitot Tube Problem Set

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read a NASA Web-based text and use its information to complete an activity which uses a pitot tube to calculate the speed of an airplane.
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Mach Number Problem Set

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read a textbook about aerodynamics. They find out the definition of Mach number. They complete problems designed to demonstrate their ability to solve Mach number equations.
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Displacement Problem Set

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students calculate the length of a side of a triangle using a trigonometric function. They calculate the measure of an angle given two sides of a triangle with a trigonometric function.
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PROBLEMS/SOLUTIONS

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students choose an interesting problem related to space travel and then design a plan to solve the problem. They present their solution to the class.
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Lift/Velocity Relationship Problem Set

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners, after reading an explanation from a NASA Web-based textbook, demonstrate their ability to use, graph (using a graphing calculator), and interpret a text equation.
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The Lift Equation Problem Set

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars, after reading the Lift Equation page from a NASA Web-based textbook, demonstrate an understanding of the lift equation by answering questions.
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The X-33 and the X-38

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the relationships among the lengths, areas, and volumes of similar solids. They also discover what effect doubling the dimensions of a figure has on the resulting area.
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Teaching Measurement Through Science

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Use these lesson plans to give your students real world practice with measuring distance, mass, and volume.