Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: How Does an Ancient and Modern Catapult Work

For Students 4th - 8th
A short explanation of how a catapult works and some examples of them.
Handout
US Navy

Nhhc: Doolittle Raid on Japan, 18 April 1942

For Students 9th - 10th
The Doolittle Raid was a gutsy attack on Tokyo made by heroic pilots of B-25 bombers launched from the deck of the USS Hornet, and aircraft carrier. Read about the daring mission and see photographs of the planes, pilots and others, and...
Website
Other

The Spitfire Emporium: The Machines

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of images of vintage aircraft. A few detailed histories are provided.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Rocket

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia provides an encyclopedia definition of a rocket, including information on rocket history, size, types, and more.
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Learning Lab: Stories of the Wrights' Flights

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan has students read primary materials from the Smithsonian collection written by the Wright brothers, and compare and contrast them to secondary sources, such as newspaper stories from the next day. There is background...
Graphic
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Kitty Hawk (1903)

For Students 9th - 10th
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1998 to commemorate the Wright Brothers first flight near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Includes a detailed paragraph about the famous flight.
Website
Other

Eaa Aviation Center: The B 17 Flying Fortress

For Students 9th - 10th
Meet the B-17 "Flying Fortress," a World War II airplane. Take the interactive tour. Discover the history, photographs, testimonials, videos to watch, and views of the interior of the plane.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Biography for Kids: The Red Baron (Manfred Von Richthofen)

For Students 9th - 10th
A site for students to learn about the biography of The Red Baron, the top scoring fighter pilot during World War I. Get information on this German named Manfred von Richthofen.
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Detroit News Newsreels

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
Website
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: The Wright Stuff

For Students 9th - 10th
Companion website to the PBS documentary on the Wright Brothers and their contributions to aviation.
Handout
Other

Charles Kingsford Smith: First Across the Pacific

For Students 9th - 10th
A biographical profile of Charles Kingsford Smith, the aviator who made the first trans-Pacific flight in 1928.
Handout
Other

Charles Kingsford Smith: First Across the Pacific

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents a biographical profile of Charles Kingsford Smith, the aviator who made the first trans-Pacific flight in 1928.
Website
Other

Arkansas Air Museum at Drake Field: Arkansas Air Museum

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Visit this resource to browse the museum's collection of early and historic planes and engines. Includes special exhibits of people from Arkansas who have made aviation history.
Website
Royal British Colombia Museum (Canada)

First in the Air in British Columbia

For Students 9th - 10th
The Royal British Columbia Museum traces the achievements of BC's first men to travel into the colony's atmosphere in the air. The site discusses the hot air balloon flight of Professor Leclaire in 1880 and the flight of Charles K....
Article
Imperial War Museums

Imperial War Museum: The Spitfire Lost for Almost 50 Years

For Students 9th - 10th
This article focuses on the RAF Spitfire built in1939 and shot down in 1940 in the Battle of Britain. It was located in 1986 and brought back to England in 2000. There are photos and a video of the restored aircraft.
Graphic
Curated OER

Newspaper Article From Asbury Park Press, 1987

For Students 9th - 10th
Online exhibit about one engineer's role in the designing and making of passenger airships or 'zeppelins'
Graphic
Curated OER

Postcard

For Students 9th - 10th
Online exhibit about one engineer's role in the designing and making of passenger airships or 'zeppelins'
Graphic
Curated OER

Passenger List

For Students 9th - 10th
Online exhibit about one engineer's role in the designing and making of passenger airships or 'zeppelins'
Graphic
Curated OER

Harold G. Dick, C. 1935

For Students 9th - 10th
Online exhibit about one engineer's role in the designing and making of passenger airships or 'zeppelins'
Graphic
Curated OER

Zeppelin

For Students 9th - 10th
Online exhibit about one engineer's role in the designing and making of passenger airships or 'zeppelins'
Handout
Science Museum, London

Science Museum Online Stuff: The First Flight

For Students 9th - 10th
An excellent article about how Orville and Wilbur Wright's interest in flight developed and led to the first airplane flight.
Activity
Other

Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum

For Students 9th - 10th
Welcome to the birthplace of legendary pilot Amelia Earhart! See how the young Amelia lived. Her childhood treasures are shown in what has now become a museum. Photos and personal family stories are shared. The menu on the left opens to...
Website
Other

First Flight: First Transatlantic Flight 1919

For Students 9th - 10th
A succinct FirstFlight.org site that examines the trials and tribulations of the first flight across the Atlantic under the direction of Lieutenant Commander Albert Read.
Handout
State Library of North Carolina

N Cpedia: Transportation Improvements in the 1920s

For Students 9th - 10th
When World War I ended in 1918 and the troops came home, folks felt optimistic about the future and eager to get on with their lives. This optimism led to an extraordinary decade that brought major changes in the way citizens traveled by...