Students will examine the history of aviation and learn about flight in Earth atmosphere and space. Included in the basic survey course are lessons on the physics of flight (can be omitted if students are prepared), the forces of flight and aircraft controls, the lift equation, rocket flight, and satellite orbits. An optional unit on wind tunnel construction and experimentation is under development.
| Week 1 Students are introduced to aviation history and aerospace engineering achievements. Students will assemble a class aviation history timeline from individual student research on people and events. |
Week 2 This week is a review of basic physics and mathematics: Newton Laws, forces, motion, acceleration. Standard physics texts and physics lessons may be used for reference. |
Week 3 Build on the physics of flight to examine forces acting on aircraft, how we generate motion, and how we control flight through the air. |
Week 4 The specialized fields of aerodynamics and fluid mechanics explain how aircraft wings (airfoils) create lift in the atmosphere. Students will use a simulator called FoilSim to understand the variables that affect lift. FoilSim is a free application avaliable for download from the NASA Glen Research Center. |
Week 5 Rockets,thrust, and inserting satellites into orbit. Analyze a typical expendable rocket launch and put a payload into earth orbit. |
Week 6 Introduce types of artificial satellites and how they fly Expose students to the field of orbital mechanics. |
|
M |
Aerospace Engineering History Grabber Attention grabber Motivational Activities (See resources for options)
| Physics of Flight Attention grabber Motivational Activities (See resources for options)
| Forces of Aircraft Flight Attention grabber Motivational Activities (See resources for options)
| Aircraft Lift Attention grabber. In preparation, teachers should have downloaded and set up the FoilSim application. Click on Aerospace Resources and Links to get a current version. Motivational Activities (See resources for options)
| Rocket Flight Attention grabber Motivational Activities (See resources for options)
| Orbital Mechanics Attention grabber Motivational Activities (See resources for options)
|
Tu |
Aerospace Engineering History Presentation Power Point Presentation Aerospace History and Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
| Physics of Flight PowerPoint Presentation Review Fundamental Physics Principles Relating to Flight
| Forces of Aircraft Flight PowerPoint Presentation Topics Covered
| Aircraft Lift Power Point Presentation. Students will use a lift simulator to understand the variables that affect aircraft flight. Topics Covered
| Rocket Flight Power Point Presentation Topics Covered
| Orbital Mechanics Power Point Presentation Topics Covered
|
W |
Aerospace Engineering History Activity Part 1 Research Outstanding Aviators and Events Student and Class Projects
| Physics of Flight Laboratory Student Designed Experiments
| Forces of Aircraft Flight Lab Balsa or paper airplane flying contest
| Aircraft Lift Laboratory. Perform lift experiments using air foil simulator. Use NASA Glen Research Center Resources
| Rocket Flight Building and Launching Rockets Options depend on affordability and time
| Orbital Mechanics Laboratory Students build model satellite
|
Th |
Aerospace Engineering History Activity Part 2 Research Outstanding Aviators and Events Suggested Activities
| Physics of Flight Laboratory Student Designed Experiments
| Forces of Aircraft Flight Lab Balsa or paper airplane flying contest
| Aircraft Lift Laboratory. Perform lift experiments using air foil simulator. Use NASA Glen Research Center Resources
| Rocket Flight Building and Launching Rockets Options depend on affordability and time
| Orbital Mechanics Laboratory Students build model satellite
|
F |
Aerospace Engineering History Evaluation and Feedback Learning Evaluation and Feedback Presentations and Evaluations
| Physics of Flight Learning Evaluation and Feedback Assessment Options
| Forces of Aircraft Flight Learning Evaluation and Feedback Assessment Options
| Aircraft Lift Learning Evaluation and Feedback Assessment Options
| Rocket Flight Learning Evaluation and Feedback Assessment Options
| Orbital Mechanics Learning Evaluation and Feedback Assessment Options
|