Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Lab Activity: Aviation

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This site from the Illinois Institute of Technology provides a student lab activity in which the flight of a paper airplane is investigated and studied. Designed for primary grades, but easily adaptable for junior high young scholars.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Newton's Apple: Frisbee Physics

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This teacher's guide from Public Television's Newton's Apple discusses and illustrates the physics principles governing the flight of a frisbee. Includes teacher lesson plans, activity ideas, discussion questions, and information about...
Lesson Plan
TryEngineering

Try Engineering: Designing Drones

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
This lesson focuses on helicopters and drones, how they fly, how they are used in different ways that help people and the environment. Teams of students explore helicopter flight; and design, build, and test their own simple rotor out of...
Interactive
Museum of Science

Museum of Science (Boston): Leonardo's Mysterious Machines

For Students 3rd - 8th
A game that showcases the inventive genius of Leonardo da Vinci, who made drawings of helicopters, planes, and tanks long before these machines ever became modern-era realities. Have fun learning about Leonardo's many ideas while you...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Efficient Propeller Design

For Students 9th - 10th
There's a lot to understand about the simple propeller to see how it affects lift and thrust in an airplane or helicopter. This Science Buddies project gives you lots of ideas on how to change the design of the propeller to achieve...
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Mechanics Mania

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Through ten lessons and numerous activities, students explore the natural universal rules engineers and physicists use to understand how things move and stay still. Together, these rules are called "mechanics." The study of mechanics is...
eBook
Other

Chicago Science Group: Earth's Changing Surface Virtual Field Trip

For Students 3rd - 5th
Join Science Companion author Belinda Basca and her family as they explore the land forms in Hawaii from a helicopter! Includes suggestions for teacher lessons, student activities, and web resources.
eBook
NASA

Nasa: Robin Whirlybird on Her Rotorcraft Adventures

For Students 1st - 5th
Read (or listen to) the illustrated story of Robin, who goes to work with her mother who works at a rotorcraft research center. Includes many interactive supplemental activities.
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: What Makes Airplanes Fly?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students begin to explore the idea of a force. To further their understanding of drag, gravity and weight, they conduct activities that model the behavior of parachutes and helicopters. An associated literacy activity engages the class...
Activity
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Trigonometry Word Problems

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students will determine the angle of depression using a diagram with a helicopter. Click learn more to watch a video and click challenge me to answer a practice question.
Website
Other

Museum of Women Pilots: Women in Aviation History

For Students 9th - 10th
The history of women pilots from 1909 to 1996, from the first woman licensed to fly to the first female Marine Corps pilot commanding a combat helicopter. Much information about the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) which later...
Website
PBS

Nh Pbs: Wildlife Journal Jr: Moose Roundup

For Students 3rd - 8th
Learn how helicopters and net-guns are used by moose wranglers to capture and radio-collar moose in an effort to collect data for a study. Discuss why scientists are using these methods and the importance of tracking wildlife.
Article
A&E Television

History.com: How Colin Powell's Service in Vietnam Shaped His Leadership

For Students 9th - 10th
Colin Powell served two combat tours in the Vietnam conflict and earned three medals for his service. Although Powell broke his ankle in a helicopter crash, he rushed back into the wreckage again and again to save the lives of Gettys,...
Handout
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Career Profile: Pilot

For Students 9th - 10th
Being a pilot seems like a glamorous career. Read about what kind of education you need to have to be accepted into pilot training. Included on this site is a listing of the "on the job" responsibilites of pilots of all types of...
Handout
Museum of Science

Museum of Science: Leonardo's Visions of the Future

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from The Museum of Science includes modern machines that Leonardo da Vinci first designed. Original sketches of Leonardo's machines also included.
Graphic
Curated OER

Helicopter Drops Sandbags on to a Breached Floodwall

For Students 9th - 10th
BBC News reporter gives his first hand experiences as he tours neighborhoods stricken by Hurricane Katrina. Very intriguing September, 2005, report.
Graphic
Curated OER

Helicopter Crewman Protecting New Orleans Evacuee From Winds of Landing Chopper

For Students 9th - 10th
News article detailing the military presence in New Orleans, as well as the continued rescue and evacuation effort. The conditions in the Superdome are also discussed. Video report is also available. Report is from September, 2005.
Graphic
Curated OER

Helicopter Drops Sandbag on the 17th Street Canal

For Students 9th - 10th
September, 2005, article tracing the draining of the flooded New Orleans and the repairing of the levee system devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
Activity
Other

Easy to Make Paper Airplanes

For Students 3rd - 8th
Have fun making different kinds of flying vehicles. You will learn how to make a paper airplane, helicopter, rocket, blimp, etc.
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Looking for Pythagoras Lesson 2

For Teachers 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] In this second installment, students are tasked to determine the fastest route between two sets of coordinates on a grid, determine the total number of blocks a land vehicle must travel, and find the...
Primary
Other

Physorg.com: Technology: Engineering: Robo Copters in Marines' Future

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the possibility of using robotic helicopters, summoned by a soldier's digital handheld, to assist in a combat area.
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.
Website
National Academy of Engineering

Greatest Achievements: Airplane

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Handout
Other

Turnstep: Dictionary of Moves

For Students 9th - 10th
Providing simple descriptions and animated pictures of step-aerobics moves, this website is useful for instructors and individuals wanting to teach and learn step aerobics. Learn steps like "across the top," "hop turn," "indecision," and...

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