The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Hidden Figures Taking Flight

Airplane Aerodynamics

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Hidden Figures Taking Flight

Airplane Aerodynamics

A 5th grade STEM lesson

Zel Fowler, M.Ed.

6/20/24

Notes for teachers

• Provide students with background knowledge so that they can make personal connections with the Principles of Flight.
• Emphasize the concepts of gravity
• Understand how trade books can help with teaching science
• Offer a flexible timeline for completing tasks. Some students may need additional time to process information or complete hands-on activities.
• Lesson may be completed in two parts

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List of Materials

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• Paper Airplane Materials
• Different types/sizes of papers
• Yard Sticks
• Rulers
• Measuring tape
• Scissors

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• Optional: Paper airplane templates

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• Picture Book: Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly and/or Video Read-Aloud

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Arizona Science Standards

• 5.P2U1.3 - Construct an explanation using evidence to demonstrate that objects can affect other objects even when they are not touching.

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• 5.P3U1.4 -Obtain, analyze, and communicate evidence of the effects that balanced and unbalanced forces have on the motion of objects.

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• 5.P3U2.5 - Define problems and design solutions pertaining to force and motion.

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Science and Engineering Practices

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• ask questions and define problems
• develop and use models
• plan and carry out investigations
• analyze and interpret data
• use mathematical and computational thinking
• construct explanations and design solutions
• engage in argument from evidence
• obtain, evaluate and communicate information

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Arizona ELA Standards

5.RL.1 - Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

5.RI.3 - Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text,

based on specific information in the text.

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Arizona Math Standards

5.MD.A.1 -Convert among different-sized standard measurement units within a given measurement system, and use these conversions in solving multi-step, real-world problems.

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5.G.A.2 - Represent real-world and mathematical problems by graphing points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane, and interpret coordinate values of points in the context of the situation.

Objective(s):

• Students will explore scientific principles through the literature, Hidden Figures.
• Students will understand the basic elements of gravity and flight change.
• Students will design and test flight theories such as thrust, lift, drag, and weight by making paper airplanes.

Agenda (60 min)

• Students discuss what they observe in photo(s)
• Hidden Figures Trade Book
• Discuss characters and identify Katherine’s 1st Goal (airplanes)
• Discuss and comprend how gravity affects how things fly. Four factors of flight (thrust, drag, lift, and drag ).
• Build paper airplanes and fly!
• Modify airplanes, fly and record results.
• Assessments

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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What do you notice about the image?

How can understanding math change the world?

Discussion Questions

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1. How can historic stories like,“Hidden Figures,” help us understand scientific achievements?

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1. Reflect on the importance of innovation in science and engineering. How does the story inspire you to be innovative?

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1. How can understanding scientific concepts like flight impact the world?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Can be independently, classroom, or in small groups
• Discuss the principles of flight
• Instruct students to build a paper airplane
• Once airplanes are built, go to open area and fly!
• Challenge students to modify their places by changing it’s drag, and anything else they choose
• Fly the airplane five times and record distance.
• Plot distance on graph paper

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Paper Airplane Aerodynamics

Principles of Flight

Assessment

• What are four elements that impact how a paper airplane flies? In your own words define each one and explain why it is important.

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• Reflect on the flight of your paper airplane. How did different modifications impact the flight?

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• How did your initial flight test relate to the story in the book?

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• What do you think Katherine Johnson and other characters in 'Hidden Figures' would say about your contribution to science experimentation?

Differentiation

• Rotation Stations
• Teacher Lead
• Independent
• Collaborative
• Virtual Labs
• Use visual aids, diagrams, and models to support understanding.
• Provide a range of materials at different complexity levels, including
• pre-built airplanes
• paper with folding prompts

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• Allow students to research and experiment with other airplane designs.
• Challenge students to come up with creative modifications to their airplanes.
• Encourage them to explain the reasoning behind their modifications.