Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Learning Lab: Airplanes and Airports: How to Take Off Without Ever Leaving the Ground

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Smithsonian Education presents "Airplanes and Airports: How to Take Off Without Ever Leaving the Ground." Teachers can download this teaching package that discusses airplanes and airports. Included in the discussion are the forces of...
Graphic
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Significant Women in Flight of the 20th Century Photos

For Students 9th - 10th
A number of women played significant roles in the history of aviation and flight during the 20th century. Meet them in this photo gallery and learn about their achievements.
Article
State Library of North Carolina

N Cpedia: History of Transportation

For Students 9th - 10th
An overview of the history of transportation in North Carolina, by water, road, and air, up to the twentieth century.
Website
Other

Wwi Aviation: An Illustrated History of World War One

For Students 9th - 10th
There is a wealth of information here. Get detailed overviews of the war and then scroll down the page to sections on pilots and designers, machines of war, a World War 1 history quiz and much more.
Website
Virtual Museum of Canada

Virtual Museum of Canada: Community Stories: Botwood Heritage Centre: Botwood: History of an Airport

For Students 9th - 10th
This small town in Newfoundland has played a major role in Canada's aviation history. View historic footage of early planes and read of their feats.
Handout
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Pilotless Flight: Timeline of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore this NOVA: "Spies That Fly" interactive timeline and discover the many technological innovations in the history of unmanned flight, from hot-air balloons to miniature flying robots.
eBook
Other

All Star: History of Aeronautics: Level 1

For Students 9th - 10th
A history of aeronautics focusing on the major types of air travel for each major time period. Excellent pictures are included in most sections. Easier reading is available by clicking on Level 2 or 3.
Unit Plan
Have Fun With History

Have Fun With History: Aviation

For Students 9th - 10th
Module with visual history of aviation in America. Students and teachers can find videos on topics beginning with pioneers in aviation, WWI and WWII, Airships and more. Links to related resources can be found on this site.
Handout
NASA

Nasa: History of Flight

For Students 3rd - 8th
How did we learn to fly? Resource takes users back through time to discover where the history of flight all started. Offers links to games, art and stories as well as activities.
Article
A&E Television

History.com: The History of Flight: From Breakthroughs to Disasters

For Students 9th - 10th
From hot-air balloons floating over Paris to a dirigible crashing over New Jersey, here are some of the biggest moments of aviation history. Below is a timeline of humans' obsession with flight, from da Vinci to drones. Fasten your...
Website
History of American Wars

History of American Wars: Air Forces in the Vietnam War

For Students 9th - 10th
Article investigates the role of air power in the Vietnam War and the types of aircraft that were used. Even though the United States ruled the skies, they could not win the war.
Article
A&E Television

History.com: 6 Little Known Pioneers of Aviation

For Students 9th - 10th
From an early glider experimenter to the first man to fly solo around the world, here are six lesser-known pilots and inventors who made their mark on aviation.
Article
University of Houston

University of Houston: Women in Flight

For Students 9th - 10th
Beryl Markham's contribution to aviation history is discussed in this lengthy article. Facts about many other famous female aviators before and after Markham are also included.
Graphic
PBS

Pbs: Chasing the Sun: Aviation Timeline

For Students 9th - 10th
Detailed timeline with descriptions of the major events and scientific developments of aviation in the 20th century. Timeline is separated by decade.
Website
PBS

Freedom: A History of Us: A Plane Flight and a Great Crash

For Students 6th - 9th
Read a brief description of the attempts to cross the Atlantic in a plane in the 1920s, ending with information about the successful trans-Atlantic flight of Charles Lindbergh.
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Education: Lesson Plan: Black Wings: American Pioneer Aviators

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
With this resource, teachers can select the most appropriate academic level and download a lesson plan that contains images, Word documents and PDF resources for teaching about the history of black Americans in aviation. Excellent...
Website
Other

The Boeing Company: The History Beneath Our Wings

For Students 9th - 10th
Boeing offers a comprehensive history of their company. Content includes narratives, chronologies, biographies, videos, and more.
Interactive
Other

Federal Aviation Administration: Aviation Bingo [Pdf]

For Students 2nd - 5th
Play a fun game of aviation bingo, and improve your knowledge of aviation vocabulary and history. This document offers instruction on how to play, bingo "call names" to print and cut out, and dozens of pre-made bingo cards. Play with a...
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Air and Space Museum: Women in Aviation and Space History

For Students 9th - 10th
Find information on the many women who became well known for their part in aviation history. Click on one of the drop down menus on the left to find a name, then click on the name to see a short description of the woman and her...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: The Dream of Flight

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: The Dream of Flight

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Website
History of American Wars

History of American Wars: World War 2 Navy

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides facts about the role of the Navy in World War II focusing on aircraft carriers, submarines, and small naval boats.
Website
History of American Wars

History of American Wars: World War 2 Weapons and Air War Part 2

For Students 9th - 10th
Website focuses on the air war in World War II and the use of weapons such as bombers and fighters. The role of the paratrooper is also discussed.
Website
Other

U.s. Centennial of Flight Commission: The u.s. Aircraft Industry During Wwi

For Students 9th - 10th
A good essay on the development of the airline industry in the United States as a result of World War I. Many companies worked on airplane design, but few survived after the war.