Lesson Plan
Curated OER

100 Years of Flight

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Learners investigate Bernoulli's principle of air pressure and how it relates to the lift of an airplane. Students identify various Aeronautical vocabulary terms. Learners construct a paper glider and experiment with the control surfaces...
Lesson Plan
NASA

The X-1 Paper Glider Kit

For Teachers 5th - 12th
After reading an interesting account of how the X-1 aircraft was designed, built, and utilized, young engineers try their hand at constructing a paper glider version of the airplane. They cut out the plane out of a nicely designed...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design a Bobsled

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students apply their knowledge of friction, drag, mass and gravity as they design, build, and test mini-bobsleds.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build Your Own Parachute

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students study the basics of parachuting.  In this flight and aerodynamics instructional activity students make a simple parachute and investigate different variables that can cause potential problems.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Equation of State Problem Set

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students 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 realm...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Straw Rockets in Flight! Engineer's Delight

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders study air compression and how it can power a rocket.  In this creative lesson students work with a partner and build a rocket then compare air compressions and graph their results. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aerospace Engineering

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students are introduced to aviation history and aerospace engineering achievements. They assemble a class aviation history timeline from individual student research on people and events.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soaring With Air Power

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders view a Newton's Apple show that explores glider mechanics, explore the four forces, build and fly a glider to specific guidelines. They adjust the glider for greater accuracy and distance using four forces, and assess...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Density and Lift

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners, after reading from a NASA Web-based textbook, demonstrate an understanding of the text by solving problems on density and predicting which density give the most lift.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aerodynamic drag

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students construct a device that can launch spinning balls. One example would be a mailing tube with one side partially cut away, lined with sandpaper. Styrofoam balls should be used for the greatest effet. They are explained how a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Makes Airplanes Fly?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
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. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

Understanding the Four Forces of Flight

For Students 4th - 5th
In this four forces of flight instructional activity, 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Harnessing Wind

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the ways that engineers study and harness the wind. They study the different kinds of winds and how to measure wind direction. In addition, students learn how air pressure creates winds and how engineers build and test...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parachutes: What a Drag

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders make 2 different kinds of parachutes and record and graph the time for each one for the different drag forces. For this parachute lesson plan, 6th graders compare the results to the rest of the class of each parachute and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Model Rockets

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students build a model rocket. In this model rocket lesson, students explore a rocket launch cycle. Students investigate the laws of physics for each part of the launch. Students build model rockets and launch at school.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mankind's Fascination With Flight

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students read various novels and articles about the contributions of the Wright Brothers. Individually, they are tested on their comprehension of the material and discuss. In groups, they research the role of the people in their life...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Frisbee

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the history behind the frisbee and how Bernoulli's principle and Newton's law plays a role.  In this flight lesson plan students complete an experiment on how the rim of a frisbee effects flight. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Invention of the Airplane

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students explore the history of the airplane and the Wright brothers.  In this aviation lesson students examine the Wright brothers stories and kites.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flying Tube

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students launch flying tubes. In this aeronautics lesson, students gather the materials and follow the procedures to create a paper tube that generates lift as it travels.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Baseball and Air

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Pupils use Curveball to complete the activity to determine how the speed of airstreams changes in relation to changes in the distance of the airstream from the center of the baseball.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wind Tunnel

For Teachers K - 12th
Students examine how wind tunnels are used for research and development.  In this aerodynamics lesson students are given instructions on how to develop different types of wind tunnel.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pitch, Yaw & Roll

For Teachers K - 12th
Students practice the concepts of pitch, yaw and roll. They practice pitch, yaw, roll in a make-believe airplane simulator. Students explore about air, forces, and movement of flight. They read for themselves about air; lift, dragweight,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wind Tunnels

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Learners 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.