Aeronautics

A WebQuest Created by:

Lon L. Eilders, II

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teachers | Credits/References

Introduction

On December 17, 1903, man took to the air for the first time.  How did we achieve this wondrous feat.

Task

Research the physics of flight and build a paper airplane for competitive flying.

Process

Use the following websites to research the principles of physics that underlie man's ability to fly:

Vertebrate Flight

Physics of Flight - Reviewed

Aeronautics

Answer questions one through thirteen on the aeronautics page.  Show all work for full credit.

Build a paper plane with your new knowledge of aeronautics.  A competition will be held to see who's design will fly the farthest and the longest.

Use only the following materials to build your plane:

printer paper            ruler

scissors                    protractor

tape

Write an explanation of  the specifics of the design you chose for your plane.

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated based on the following rubric:

Rubric (Word Document)

Rubric (PDF File)

Aeronautics Rubric

Conclusion

Do you have what it takes to soar through the skies?

Teachers

Tennessee State Standards: 9-12 Physics

1.2 analyze and apply Newton’s three laws of motion.

1.3 understand work, energy, and power.

1.4 investigate kinematics and dynamics.

Purpose: To encourage students to learn about the physics surrounding flight through the exciting use of the Internet.  To encourage the presentation of data building a paper airplane for competition.

Preceding and Ensuing Events of Instruction: The teacher should first show the IMAX movie The Magic of Flight (82 minutes) which is available through slingshot.  This should prompt student interest in the topics covered in this WebQuest.  Ordering information at www.slingshotdvd.com

This WebQuest can prompt future interest of students in the physics.

Learning Improvements: Students will be allowed to do independent research which should lead to a move away from extrinsic rewards to greater intrinsic rewards.  Learning will be reinforced when the students assemble and evaluate the research they have done.

Improvements and Expansions:  This WebQuest can be expanded by introducing the history of flight.

Credits/References

Macgillivray Freeman Films. (1996). The magic of flight [DVD]. Mississauga, Ontario, Canada: IMAX..

NASA. (n.d.). Virtual skies: aeronautics. Retrieved on July 31, 2003, from http://virtualskies.arc.nasa.gov/teachers/PDF/PhysicsOFlight-student.pdf

University of California, Berkeley. (n.d.) Vertebrate Flight. Retrieved on July 31, 2003, from http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/vertebrates/flight/physics.html

Weltner, K. & Ingelman-Sandberg, M. (n.d.). Physics of flight - reviewed. Retrieved on July 31, 2003, from http://www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/~weltner/Flight/PHYSIC4.htm

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