Curated OER
Early Attempts at Flight
Students investigate the early history of flight. In this aviation history lesson, students are split into six groups to research the development of the ornithopter, hot air balloon and the glider. Each group records information on the...
Curated OER
Balloons
Young scholars explore the different types of balloons. In this materials lesson students can complete several experiments including building their own hot air balloons, making balloon animals and experimenting with static electricity.
Curated OER
Temperature and the Density of Air
Here is a hands-on activity in which junior scientists put air into a balloon to create a closed system. They measure its circumference, warm it in hot water, and then remeasure its circumference to discover how temperature affects the...
Curated OER
The Mathematics of Convection: Nature's Model for Energy Production
High schoolers conduct a series of experiments to investigate density, buoyancy and climate. In this math lesson, pupils design and build a hot air balloon to demonstrate convection. They research and write a paper about solar chimneys.
Yale University
Airplane Mathematics
The history of aerodynamics is rich with experimentation and international collaboration. Author Joyce Bryant relays this dynamic past and provides math word problems using the formula of lift, the force that makes airplanes fly. She...
Adrian College
The Universe
Young scientists create a simulation of Hubble's law. Introducing the Big Bang Theory using balloons and a simple lab worksheet, scholars complete a data table and perform analysis.
Curated OER
Non-Newtonian Fluids
Young scholars will use water, cornstarch, eggs, and more to explore the different states of matter. They will make observations of an unknown substance called "Oobleck" and test its liquid and solid properties. This would be a great...
Curated OER
10 Great Places to Savor the Wild Blue Yonder
Students discuss developments in aviation. In this reading comprehension lesson, students read an article that discusses ten aviation museums and developments in civil and military aviation. Students find relationships between pictures...
Curated OER
Art to Zoo: Kiting Up The Sky: The Vehicles of Understanding
Students gain perspective on the importance of kites by reading about and discussing how kites have been used throughout history. For this kite exploration lesson, students follow instructions to construct a kite to assist them in...