High-Velocity Falcon

In this birds activity, students read ten clues that pertain to birds and determine the answer from the word box. Students then use the answers to complete a crossword puzzle.

In this video from Outdoor Nevada, Brian Wignall speaks with an ornithologist about the peregrine falcon, a majestic and endangered species that is one of the fastest animals in the world. [3:08]

Researchers compare the terminal velocity of humans to peregrine falcons in hopes to increase top speeds in human extreme skydiving.

This resource provides information about Peregrine falcons.

The PBS video series "The Life of Birds" is accompanied with this site. There are articles about several aspects of birds and their behavior. This one chronicles the highest, fastest, and most extreme birds. There are lots of examples.

Endangered species are animals, plants or other life forms facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. Learn about some endangered species in Wisconsin.

How are raptors and airplanes alike? Combine science and language arts in this fun and interactive project. Young scientists research the animal in order to design their own aircraft, and compete in a contest for farthest, fastest, and...

Students explore orbital velocities and how they vary along each orbit, according to Kepler's Second Law.

Students observe a video about pilots, their desired traits, and explore the similarities between a bird and an airplane. Using paper, wood or foam, they design create an aircraft to be flown in a competition to see which plane will fly...

Students gain an understanding of Kepler's 2nd law--that planets (and satellites) move fastest at their closest approach to the center of attraction, and slow down when far away. They explore the concepts of "potential energy" and...