Astronauts need a way to lift heavy objects. Pupils design and build a crane out of cardboard and determine ways to improve their cranes based upon the outcomes of testing. 

An instructive slideshow presentation won't take the wind out of your sails! Alesson plan and the included presentation show how a sail works to push the sailboat downwind. It goes on to present how the sail and the keel work together in...

This Discovery Education activity provides the information needed to understand the basics of flight. Before taking off, young pilots learn the eight stages of the engineering design process. Small groups then design and build an...

Adorable little stick figures push and pull a cart of blocks to explain the push and pull of forces. Future physicists then define force and identify it in different situations on the worksheet that follows. Concepts covered include...

Using the Cartesian coordinate system, future flight experts plot points to determine whether or not an airplane will fly. With the four forces of weight, lift, drag, and thrust represented in different quadrants, your physics learners...

Students conduct probability experiments.  In this rescue mission lesson, sudents play a game and collect statistical data.  They organize and interpret the data and determine the probability of success.  Students plot points on a...

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...

Students design and test paper airplanes to understand the concept of lift and how it affects flight. This technology-based Science lesson is excellent for use with upper-elementary and middle-level learners and uses spreadsheet software...

How does a sailboat go both with and against the wind? The Vertasium video surveys people on this question. After asking many people to explain the way a sailboat works, finally a sailor answers. This allows for discussion of lift and...

Bring Bernoulli's principle before the eyes of your earth scientists! By setting two fans up facing each other, you can get a paper airplane to hover between them. Lift and drag concepts can be taught when you show this clip or perform...

Bring Bernoulli's principle before the eyes of your earth scientists! By setting two fans up facing each other, you can get a paper airplane to hover between them. Lift and drag concepts can be taught when you show this clip or perform...

Students examine force and conduct activities that model parachutes and helicopters.  In this airplanes lesson students identify the forces that make airplanes fly higher and land. 

Pupils explore the concepts of force and work. They analyze problems associated with trying to lift heavy objects and the amount of force needed to move something from the floor to a table.

Students explore aerodynamics. In this aerodynamics lesson, students study the flight patterns of three paper airplanes and discover the underlying principles of aerodynamics. Resources and grade level modifications are present.

Sixth graders discuss how simple machines overcome friction. In this simple machine lesson, 6th graders review the parts of a plane and how they make up for gravity and friction. They roll different objects down an inclined board...

Students investigate the principles of flight.  In this "flight" physics lesson plan, students brainstorm animals and objects that fly and any characteristics they have in common.  Students view a video and construct a boomerang...

Students investigate the flight of paper boomerangs. In this flight lesson plan, students examine the flight variables of paper boomerangs, which they make, by investigating the concepts of lift and drag. They examine what happens when...

Students explore the concept of flight.  In this flight instructional activity, students make paper airplanes with different designs.  Students change the angle of launch and thrust and record the distances and time spent in air for each...

For this four forces of flight worksheet, students read a 1 page article on flights, answer 5 questions with multiple choice answers, draw a line to connect the four forces to their definitions and answer 1 short answer scenario.

Students review the principles of flight before performing a series of simple experiments. Working in small groups, they complete hands-on activities that demonstrate the principles that make it possible for an airplane to lift into air...

Learners explore how a kite flies; this lesson is a precursor for the windmill activity. By exploring how a kite flies, the students explore the power of the wind; particulary how drag, lifft and gravity enable objects such as kites and...

Students explore lift and Bernoulli's Principle using a relational causal model. Using paper and straws, they investigate lift and relate Bernoulli's Principle to everday occurences.

Students engage in a hands-on experiment to determine how launch angles affect airflow around the wing of an aircraft. They view a series of photographs and read information describing the Wright Brothers' experiences. They complete a...

Students are introduced to the four forces of flight--drag, lift, thrust, and weight--through a variety of fun-filled flight experiments. They "fly" for short periods and evaluate factors that might either increase or decrease their...