MATH: Return to Top Grade Level:Beginning AIRFOIL SIZE: Have the students bring in a toy airplane and you supply a piece of yarn for each child. Ask each student to measure the width of their plane's airfoils (wings) with a piece of yarn. Have the children cut their yarn piece to the width of their airfoil. Compare the widths of the airfoils of the student's planes using the lengths of yarn that they have cut to match their airfoil's width. AN AIRFOIL'S PARTS: An airfoil is made up of 5 parts: the leading edge, the trailing edge, the upper camber, the lower camber, and the chord line. The students can have fun playing a math game adding and subtracting the parts of the airfoil on a toy plane. Example: add up the upper cambers and lower cambers on the two airfoils of a toy plane. PRETEND AIRFOILS: Have the students stand up and pretend that their arms are airfoils. Have the students take turns measuring the height of their airfoils using measuring tapes. Then do math problems comparing the tallest student to the shortest student and their airfoil "heights". Grade Level: Intermediate CURVATURE: The airfoils of planes are curved more on top than below to give them greater lift. Gather information about the curvature ratio of two planes and give the students math problems about these curvatures. ANGLE OF ATTACK: The lift of the airfoil can be increased by tilting it upward at an angle to the air flow. This gives the airfoil a greater angle of attack. There is an angle of attack at which lift is greatest. This is usually at about 18 degrees. Have students do math problems with 5 different planes, where each of the angle of attack is different by 3 degrees. The lowest angle of attack being 5 degrees and the greatest angle of attack being 17 degrees. What is the difference between the lowest angle of attack and the greatest angle of attack? Grade Level: Advanced CAMBERED CURVATURE: Because the top surface of an airfoil is curved, it is longer than the bottom surface. Look at photographs of airplanes in books. Study the different airfoil shapes. If the upper surface of the airfoil is 15 feet, 11 inches long and the percentage difference for the upper surface is 5% greater than the lower surface of the airfoil then what is the length of lower surface? PRODUCING MORE LIFT: There are several ways of producing more lift with an airfoil. The following is a list of what can be done: Increase the speed of the air flowing around it, Increasing the curvature of the top of the wing, Tilting the wing slightly to face upward, commonly known as increasing the angle of attack, Enlarging the wing for more wing surface area. If on two planes the changing of the speed of the air flowing around the airfoil is a ratio of 25 to 1 to the second airfoil and the second plane has an increase of speed of the air flow around the airfoil to 160 mph. What would be the speed of the air flowing around the first plane's airfoil? LANGUAGE ARTS: Return to Top Grade Level:Beginning AIRFOILS: As a class write a poem about airfoils and what they do for an airplane. (An airfoil is any surface that provides a lifting force when a flow of air passes around it). THAT WONDERFUL SONG: Pretend as a class that you are going to take a trip on an airplane and that the airlines has asked you as a class to create a song to sing on the trip. As a class you can decide on a tune to use by telling the class that they can take a favorite song they already sing and write new words to the lyrics about their plane trip. SHORT STORY: Ask the class to give you several words about a plane and how the airfoil (wings) lift the plane into the sky. Take those words that the class gives you and create together a short, short story about airplanes. Tell the students that it can be a silly story, a fanciful story, and an imaginary story. Grade Level: Intermediate STORY LINE: Have the students pretend that they are journalists from a local newspaper and they are going to write an article for their paper on the airfoils of the airplanes at the local airfield. The articles should include the dimensions and features of the airfoils. THE FIRST ATLANTIC FLIGHT: The Atlantic was first flown nonstop by two British Fliers, John Alcock and Arthur Brown in 1919. Have the students pretend that they are a mouse stuck on the airfoil when the pilots take off for their trip. Using their imaginations, have the students write a story of how the pilots get the mouse off the airfoil safely while they are in the air. THE FIRST AIR SHOW: The first air show was held in France near Reims in 1909. Have the students pretend that they are there and are assigned to write a feature story for their school paper back home. Grade Level: Intermediate/Advanced A ZONE OF VERY LOW PRESSURE: When an airplane builds up speed on the ground, the air flowing over the top of the airfoil creates a zone of very low pressure. The force of the atmosphere beneath the airfoils pushes up on the wings, causing the plane to take off when the speed is high enough and the pressure low enough. The force of the air on the plane is called lift. Have the students write three poems about the airfoil and how it is affected by the pressure. A group of three poems on a similar subject is called a trilogy. / Grade Level: Advanced WORLD WAR ONE: When World War 1 started in 1914 the aircraft of the time were more than fragile toys. Have the students write a one page story about the pilots of these airplanes. The students can go to the library to get information about pilots during the war to get background information. STEWARDS AND STEWARDESSES: Have the students pretend that they are either a steward or stewardess on an airliner service. Ask them to write about their adventures on cross-Atlantic flights. (The first air stewardess, Ellen Church, began work with United Air Lines in May 1930. Jack Sanderson was one of the first stewards, with British Daimler Airways.) STEPPING UP TO THE HIGHER PLANE: Give the students a piece of writing paper and envelope to write a letter to students in another nation about how the airfoils on our airplanes in the United States have developed because of men in other nations (France, England, and Germany to name a few) who did research and experimentation in former centuries. SOCIAL STUDIES: Return to Top Grade Level:Beginning AIRPLANE CLOTHING: Have the students do a paper together about the clothing that was worn when the airplanes were flown in the first part of the 1900's. (Flying gear mainly centered on the need for windproofing and warmth. Sheepskin and leather were the best materials to defeat frostbite at high altitudes. Goggles were essential eye protection, while boots and gloves warmed hands and feet.) FIRST AIRLINERS: Together as a group write a paper about the first airliners in the United States. (To the smart set of the 1930's, flying was the thing to be seen doing. Passengers were weighed as well as their luggage. They were charged extra if they exceeded the weight limit. Grade Level: Intermediate THE WRIGHT BROTHERS: As a class write a paper about the Wright Brothers and how they contributed to the aviation industry today. (The Wright Brothers pioneered many of the research methods used in the aviation industry today.) THE STORY OF AVIATION: Have the students do a study and then write a paper about the history of aviation. (The story of aviation has been that of flying faster, higher, and farther than anyone else.) CHARLES LINDBERGH: Take the students to the library to look up information about Charles Lindbergh. Have the students write an oral report about Mr. Lindbergh and his achievements to give in front of the class. (Charles Lindbergh was the first person to achieve a solo flight in 1927.) Grade Level: Advanced CONTROLLED ROLL: Among the features of the "Flyer" built and successfully flown by the Wright Brothers was its method of controlling roll. Thin wires actually bent the rear ends of the airfoils up or down. As the airfoil's tips twist into the airstream so the airfoils banked safely into turns. This method, known as wing warping, was used successfully on many other pioneer aircraft. Have the students write a paper on these features of the airfoils on the "Flyer". WORLD FLIGHTS: Have the students do research at the library about various flights around the world. Then have the class write up a report about their findings and present in front of the class. (After World War 1, aviators flew longer and longer flights around the world, paving the way for the scheduled airline flights to come.) INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS: Airports around the world have improved their services and features through the years. Have the students do a paper on these improvements and how they have kept tempo with the improvements in the airplanes themselves. (In 1960, New York International Airport had some new features, including 'finger' piers, down which passengers could walk directly from the terminal building to the aircraft door. Until then boarding an aircraft had always involved a windy walk across the concrete apron in front of the terminal.) VISUAL/PERFORMING ARTS: Return to Top Grade Level:Beginning CARD GAME: Hand out twelve 3 x 5 inch index cards to each student. Ask them to draw different kinds of airplanes on their cards, making sure that they make pairs of each design. There will be 6 pairs. Then have the students create a card game out of their deck of airplane cards. (Give each student a rubber band to store their cards.) A PICTURE STORY: Have the class draw a picture story about an airplane. Give each student 3 pieces of art paper and crayons. Tell the students that the first picture should be about the beginning of the story, the second picture about the middle of the story, and the last picture about the end of the story. Have the students share their picture stories with the rest of the class. (Encourage the students to use their imaginations with this project.) PAPER PUPPETS: Have the students make "airplane" puppets out of small paper lunch bags, construction paper, crayons, scissors, and glue. Then have a puppet show with the children's airplane puppets. Grade Level: Intermediate LUGGAGE LABELS: In the 1950's and 1960's airlines made colorful luggage labels. Have the students create luggage labels for their own "airlines". Supply cardboard, scissors, and colored marking pens. AIRPORT GAME: Supply construction paper, colored marking pens, pencils, scissors, cardboard (at least 20 inches by 30 inches), and a pair of dice to make an airport game. The students can draw the facilities of the airport on the cardboard and use the construction paper and colored marking pens to add details to the airport facilities. Give the students ideas and encourage their imaginations in creating these board games. A LADY'S FAN: Lady's fans were designed to celebrate women aviators. A New York restaurant gave such fans away as an advertisement. Hand out 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper, pencils, colored marking pens and have the students design pictures for a fan. Show the students how to make a paper fan before they make a picture on the fan. A paper fan is easy to make taking an 8 1/2 x 11 inch plain piece of paper and fold it 3/4 inch at the left edge. Then turn the paper over and fold the paper again 3/4 inch on the opposite side of the paper back to match the first fold. Repeat until you have fanned folded the entire paper. Next, have the students draw their pictures and then enjoy fanning! Grade Level: Advanced MEDALS: During the beginning of aviation medals were struck to honor flights. Have the students create "medals" out of cardboard, foil, and pencils. Have the students cut out circular shapes out of the cardboard and wrap these shapes with foil. Then have the students use the pencils to emboss (draw) on the foil with designs to create "medals" of honor of aviation's accomplishments. DECORATED BOXES: Tributes were made to aviators years ago, making decorative boxes of their successes in flight. Ask the students to bring in a shoebox with a lid and have them choose a famous aviator to make a tribute to. Supply marking pens, scissors, glue, construction paper, and books about aviators that the students can look at for ideas. Have a contest and give out prizes for the best designed boxes. Have the students be the judges. A POSTER ADVERTISEMENT: Supply poster boards, marking pens, rulers, and pencils and have the students design and draw a poster advertising the air service that is available at your local airport. LITERATURE LINKS: Return to Top Air and Flight Author: Neil Ardley Publisher: London: Franklin Watts, 1984 Grade Level: K - 4 Synopsis: This is a great book for youngsters to understand the principles of air and flight. There are 12 experiments that students can do that are safe and simple. The book is well illustrated. Rocket Science Author: Jim Wiese Publisher: New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1995 Grade Level: K - 6 Synopsis: This is a wonderful book which contains 50 flying, floating, flipping, spinning gadgets that students can create themselves to learn more about aeronautics and related subjects. It is illustrated with black and white pen drawings. The Glorious Flight Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot Author: Alice and Martin Provensen Publisher: Puffin: 1987 Grade Level: 3 - 6 Synopsis: This is a humorous story describing Louis Bleriot's persistence in developing seven airplanes before he became the first man to fly across the English Channel. It is well illustrated. Flight: Fliers and Flying Machines Author: David Jeffries Publisher: New York: Franklin Watts, 1991 Grade Level: 3 - 7 Synopsis: This book explores the history of flights. It covers the dreams of flying in ancient Greece to today's high-tech war planes. There is a chapter on planes being designed for the future to be ecological fuel savers. There are magnificent illustrations and a text that has been carefully researched. Experiments with Motion Author: Robert Gardner Publisher: New Jersey: Enslow Publishers, Inc., 1995 Grade Level: 3 - 8 Synopsis: All the experiments in this book use simple materials to explore the various science ideas of the world. Many of them relate directly to flight, airfoils, and the principles of aerodynamics. There are drawings throughout the book to enhance the experiments. The ABC National Air and Space Museum Author: Florence Cassen Mayers Publisher: Harry Abrams: 1979 Grade Level: 3 - 12 Synopsis: This book is filled with color aviation photographs from early aviation to space-age technology using the letters of the alphabet. The narrations that accompany each photograph are sophisticated. The History of Aircraft Author: Chris Maynard Publisher: New York: Franklin Watts, 1982 Grade Level: 4 - 8 Synopsis: This book of history about aircraft traces the history of manned flight from the first attempts to the present. Moving Right Along Author: Robert Gardner and David Webster Publisher: New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1979 Grade Level: 4 - 8 Synopsis: This book is full of easy-to-follow experiments about motion. There is a section in the text called "Motion Puzzlers" which is fun for students with imaginative thinking. There are black and white drawings throughout the book to compliment the text. Aircraft Author: Bill Gunston Publisher: New York: Franklin Watts, 1987 Grade Level: 4 - 12 Synopsis: This book by Bill Gunston explores the latest developments and future possibilities of aircraft technology. The Great Paper Airplane Book Author: Seymour Simon Publisher: Puffin Books: 1971 Grade Level: 4 - 12 Synopsis: This text explains the science of flight and shows how to design and make a variety of paper airplanes. There are illustrations to provide visual help in making the paper planes. Experimenting With Air and Flight Author: Ormiston H. Walker Publisher: New York: Franklin Watts, 1989 Grade Level: 5 - 8 Synopsis: In this book you will about airplanes and how they stay in the air. Using examples found in nature, and presenting experiments you can perform easily you will learn about aerodynamics. There are black and white pen pictures that illustrate the experiments. The Hidden World of Forces Author: Jack R. White Publisher: New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1987 Grade Level: 5 - 8 Synopsis: This is an interesting book about the "world of forces" in our world. Without these forces airplanes wouldn't fly, a boat wouldn't float, and a knife would not cut. There are black and white photographs throughout the book. Mr. Wizard's 400 Experiments in Science Author: Don Herbert Publisher: New Jersey: Book Lab, 1968 Grade Level: 5 - 8 Synopsis: This is a wonderful book for a wide span of grade levels. The experiments range from the very simple, to complete science project. The text enhances each of the experiments, along with pen and ink drawings throughout the text. Aviation and Space Science Projects Author: Dr. Ben Millspaugh Publisher: PA: Tab Books, 1992 Grade Level: 5 - 12 Synopsis: This is a great book filled with information and projects for students interested in learning about aviation and spaceflight. It has black & white photographs and illustrations throughout the book. It is one most interesting books on the subject. Secrets of The Universe: Discovering the Universal Laws of Science Author: Paul Fleisher Publisher: New York: Atheneum, 1987 Grade Level: 6 - 12 Synopsis: This book is an excellent reference text to help students understand the Laws of Science, which directly influence flight, airfoils, and all other dynamics that affects the world of aerodynamics. There are pen and ink drawings throughout the book to enhance the text. The Miracle of Flight Author: Richard Cromer Publisher: New York: Doubleday, 1968 Grade Level: 6 - 12 Synopsis: In this book you will find the explanation of the aerodynamics of flight and how the physical structure and physiological processes of birds enable them to fly. The National Air and Space Museum Author: C.D. Bryan Publisher: Harry Abrams: 1988 Grade Level: 6 - 12 Synopsis: This is an in-depth presentation of flight and starts with the first attempts at flight and continues to current space flights. The pictures and illustrations are exceptional. The National Air and Space Museum Author: C.D. Bryan Publisher: Harry Abrams: 1988 Grade Level: 6 - 12 Synopsis: This is an in-depth presentation of flight and starts with the first attempts at flight and continues to current space flights. The pictures and illustrations are exceptional. Airliner Author: Nigel Cawthorne Publisher: London: Gloucester Press, 1988 Grade Level: 6 - 12 Synopsis: This text brings forth a problem-solving approach to the different options of aircraft development. On the Wing: The Life of Birds from Feathers to Flight Author: Bruce Brooks Publisher: Scribners: 1989 Grade Level: 6 - 12 Synopsis: This is a set of essays about the lives of birds. It is beautifully written and accompanied by magnificent photographs. The Smithsonian Book of flight for Young People Author: Walter J. Boyne Publisher: Macmillan: 1988 Grade Level: 6 - 12 Synopsis: This is a book about the history of American flight which includes the effects of research and wars on the airplane industry. The color photographs in this book are marvelous. The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane Author: Russell Freedman Publisher: Holiday House: 1991 Grade Level: 6 - 12 Synopsis: This is a biography that highlights the research, experiments, and testing necessary for these first powered, sustained, and controlled airplane flights by the Wright Brothers. There are original pictures and primary sources to add spice to this volume on Orville and Wilbur. Wilbur and Orville: A Biography of the Wright Brothers Author: Fred Howard Publisher: Ballantine: 1988 Grade Level: 9 - 12 Synopsis: This is a wonderful book for the devoted individual to aviation. This is a very detailed biography of the Wright brothers. There are pictures in the book to enhance the text. 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