Students 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.

Students research propulsion, graph data, and interpret the results.

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...

Students investigate differences between aircraft and spacecraft, and the differences in propulsion systems. They build pinwheel airplanes and balloon rockets. An interactive activity quizzes students on thrust.

Pupils build pinwheel airplanes and balloon rockets to determine which ones fly faster and which fly farther.

Students construct their own rotocopters to study flight.  In this flight activity students work in groups and complete timed trials of their rotocopters.

Students demonstrate an understanding of the text by completing a propulsion activity, charting the results, and answering questions that demonstrate an understanding of rocket propulsion.

Young scholars build a model rocket. In this model rocket lesson plan, students explore a rocket launch cycle. Young scholars investigate the laws of physics for each part of the launch. Students build model rockets and launch at school.

Students, after reading an explanation from a NASA Web site, demonstrate an understanding of the text by applying it to questions involving the Thrust to Weight Ratio and Excess Thrust of an aircraft.

Students investigate the factors affecting projectile trajectory. For this physics lesson, students calculate the range, time and speed of projectiles using mathematical equations.

Ready, aim, fire! Launch to a new level of understanding as scholars build and test their own catapults. Learners explore lever design and how adjusting the fulcrum changes the outcome. 

Students observe how measurements are made with different instruments.  In this remote sensing lesson students investigate the physical state of surfaces including the surfaces of the solar system. 

Students conduct a series of experiments on magnetic levitation. In this physics lesson plan, students discover how Maglev trains operate. They explain how magnetism make even simple objects levitate.

High schoolers explore how Maglev trains work. In this technology lesson, students discuss the pros and cons of Maglev compared to conventional trains. They build a simple Maglev train model.

Students, after reading an explanation from a NASA Web site, demonstrate an understanding of the text by writing an essay that applies the information found in the slides to a real-life question.

Students determine how to lower the reliance on petroleum-based fuel. In this environmental stewardship instructional activity, students create concept cars for the future that using renewable energy.

Students, after reading the Web page Turbojet Thrust and completing the activity, explain how jet engines use air to produce thrust. The educational software ""FoilSim" is used in this lesson to help students calculate thrust.

High schoolers, after reading an explanation from a NASA Web site, demonstrate an understanding of the text by applying it to questions involving Maximum Flight Time and Range under varying conditions.

Students use EngineSim and information found on the World Wide Web to complete the activity on the relationship between the atmosphere and jet fuel. They discover how much air is required to pass through a jet engine.

Students, 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...

Students, after reading the Web page Gas Properties Definitions, complete the activity to demonstrate an understanding of the properties of gases.

Students, after reading the Web page Thrust to Weight Ratio, use Range Games and the Air Page to complete the activity to answer questions about turbojet thrust to weight ratio.

Young scholars explore Newton's Laws of Motion and how they apply to flight.

This page provides an overview of the history behind one of the greatest engineering innovations of all time:the airplane. There is also a timeline showing its development.