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UNIT 4

Flight Up, Up, & Away

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Unit Overview Summary

General summary of unit:

  • The unit begins with a lesson on how airplanes create lift, which involves a discussion of air pressure and how wings use Bernoulli's principle to change air pressure. Next, students explore the other three forces acting on airplanes—thrust, weight and drag. Students dream up and draw their own designs for futuristic and fanciful flying machines. They learn that doodling, sketching and brainstorming are related to the invention process, and about the early inventions that contributed to the history of flight and the state of modern aircraft. For brainstorming practice, they generate ideas for creative alternate uses for everyday objects.

Skills students need or will develop:

  • Skills needed to work through the design process
  • Creativity, communication, and continued work on Standards of Workmanship.

Goals For A Final Project:

  • Students will use their imaginations and apply their knowledge of aircraft design and the forces acting on them (gained from the previous lessons in the Airplanes unit) to design and create their own innovative flying machine models made from classroom construction and recycled materials.

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Criteria

4 - Distinguished

3 - Proficient

2 - Developing

1 - Beginning

Understanding of Lift and Forces

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of lift, air pressure, Bernoulli’s principle, and the other three forces (thrust, weight, drag).

Demonstrates a good understanding of lift, air pressure, Bernoulli’s principle, and the other three forces with minor inaccuracies.

Demonstrates a basic understanding of lift, air pressure, Bernoulli’s principle, and the other three forces with several inaccuracies.

Demonstrates a limited understanding of lift, air pressure, Bernoulli’s principle, and the other three forces.

Creativity and Innovation

Designs are highly creative and innovative, showcasing unique and imaginative flying machines.

Designs are creative and innovative with some unique elements.

Designs show some creativity but are mostly conventional.

Designs lack creativity and innovation, with very conventional ideas.

Sketching and Brainstorming

Consistently uses sketching and brainstorming effectively to generate and refine ideas.

Uses sketching and brainstorming effectively with minor lapses.

Uses sketching and brainstorming but with limited effectiveness.

Rarely uses sketching and brainstorming effectively.

Application of Invention Process

Applies the invention process thoroughly, including doodling, sketching, and brainstorming.

Applies the invention process with minor gaps.

Applies the invention process but with noticeable gaps.

Rarely applies the invention process effectively.

Knowledge of Flight History

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the history of flight and early inventions.

Demonstrates a good understanding of the history of flight with minor inaccuracies.

Demonstrates a basic understanding of the history of flight with several inaccuracies.

Demonstrates a limited understanding of the history of flight.

Teamwork and Communication

Works exceptionally well in a team, with all members contributing equally and effectively.

Works well in a team, with most members contributing effectively.

Works in a team but with uneven contribution and collaboration.

Struggles to work in a team, with minimal contribution from some members.

Final Project Execution

Final project is highly innovative, well-constructed, and demonstrates a thorough application of knowledge and skills.

Final project is innovative, well-constructed, and demonstrates good application of knowledge and skills.

Final project shows some innovation and construction quality but has noticeable gaps in application of knowledge and skills.

Final project lacks innovation, is poorly constructed, and demonstrates limited application of knowledge and skills.

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How do things fly and what will it look like 10 years from now?

UNIT Up Up and Away

Big Question

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BILL NYE VIDEO!!

(OPTIONAL, BUT WHO DOESN’T LOVE BILL NYE?)

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Lesson 1

Can You Take the Pressure?

Teacher Page: NOT SHARED WITH STUDENTS

Teacher Notes & Resources For Lesson:

  • First lesson is a simple introduction to flight, the students will be performing a few simple activities.

Each group Needs

  • 1 sheet of paper (new or recycled)
  • 2 round balloons
  • 2 pieces of string (18 inches long)

** You may want to blow up a few balloons for students who struggle, you will be shocked of how many students can not blow up a balloon.

Potential Lesson Timers used for pacing

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As your teacher plays the video, think about , how do you fly and steer a hot air balloon?

Student Response:

Can You Take the Pressure?

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Objectives & Success Criteria

  • Describe basic facts about the history of flight.
  • Explain Bernoulli's principle.
  • Describe the concept of air pressure and how the movement of air influences its pressure.
  • Explain why engineers need to know about air pressure.

Student Resources

Student Instructions:

  • You will be doing two activities to show you have a basic understanding of the concepts of flight.

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What is air?

Blow onto your hand. What is happening?

Air is a collection of molecules—very small particles that we cannot see—that cover the surface of the Earth. Air is comprised of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and the remaining 1% is mostly argon and carbon dioxide.

You are forcing air out of your lungs and it is hitting your hands.

Why doesn't air around the planet escape to space?

Gravity pulls on air just like it pulls on a person and all objects. The weight of air is called air pressure and it pushes on us all the time. The existence of air pressure is what enables airplanes to fly.

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Hot Air Balloons

File for All Things Hot Air Balloons

PLEASE MAKE A COPY OF YOUR OWN!!

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From the earliest times, people have marveled at the flight of birds and have wanted to fly as they do.

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In his lifetime, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), like other inventors of his time, had a fascination with the flapping flight of birds. He believed that "a bird is an instrument working according to a mathematical law. It lies within the power of humans to make this instrument with all of its motions." He designed several ornithopters, which are airplanes with flapping wings. He also designed a glider that resembles modern day hang-gliders.

In 1738, an Italian physicist named Daniel Bernoulli discovered that water and air move faster over curved surfaces than they do over flat ones. He also discovered that as the air or water moved faster, the pressure exerted by the fluid decreased. This critical discovery, known as Bernoulli's principle, paved the way for modern airplanes.

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ACTIVITY

Each group Needs

  • 1 sheet of paper (new or recycled)
  • 2 round balloons
  • 2 pieces of string (18 inches long)

Follow “Standards of Workmanship Procedures” - What do you think they will be for this activity?

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Part A: The Paper Tent

  1. Fold a piece of paper (lengthwise) in half and make a paper tent.
  2. What happens when you blow into the tent.
    1. Does it appear to get larger, is it remaining unchanged, or is it bending down toward the table? (Alternately, turn their paper tents upside down and blow through the V-shaped paper.)

ANSWER:

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Part B: Moving Balloons

  1. Blow up two balloons. Tie them off, and then attach a string to each one.
  2. Hold the two balloons together.
  3. What will happen when you blow between the two balloons.

ANSWER:

  • Hold the balloons 4-6 inches apart and blow between them. If they hold the balloons too close together, the balloons simply move away from you. The balloons must be sufficiently far apart so that you can blow between the balloons, not at the balloons.

What Happens - Answer:

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Responsible Citizen - Students need to recognize the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for living, learning, and working in an interconnected digital world, as well as face to face with teammates. They must act and model in ways that are safe, legal and ethical. (ISTE Standard 2) Digital and Face to Face.

Standard

4 - Exemplary

3 - Proficient

2 - Approaching

1 - Emergent

Empowered Learner: Demonstration of Knowledge and skills that prepare students to be lifelong learners.

The Student has the ability to critique, synthesize, and troubleshoot current problems by learning through experiences they personally develop and seek out. They are able to transfer their knowledge from independent research, explore different methods and solutions to design creative products and ideas that they choose.

The Student has the ability to assess and formulate current problems by extending experiences provided by the instructor. They are able to critique independent research and compare different methods and solutions to design products and ideas.

The Student has the ability to organize and predict current problems by extending experiences provided when assisted by the instructor. They are sometimes able to perform independent research and collect and display different methods and solutions to design products and ideas.

The Student consistently needs assistance to recognize current problems provided in the classroom and are not able to perform research and define a specific solution independently in order to design products and ideas.

Example Conversions

10 Points

8-9 Points

6-7 Points

5 Points

Look For's:

5 Points - Paper Tent Look Fors

  1. Demonstrates responsible digital citizenship by using online resources to research and explore different folding techniques for creating a paper tent.
  2. Safely and ethically uses online platforms to seek out tutorials or guides on paper tent making.
  3. Shows proficiency in applying knowledge gained from independent research to fold the paper tent correctly.
  4. Takes responsibility for their actions and models safe behavior when blowing into the paper tent.
  5. Recognizes the interconnectedness of the digital world by sharing their experience of making a paper tent with others through appropriate digital means.

Activity: Moving Balloons

Look For's:

  1. Demonstrates responsible digital citizenship by using online resources to learn about the physics of air pressure and its effect on moving balloons.
  2. Safely and ethically uses digital platforms to access tutorials or videos on how to blow between two balloons.
  3. Shows proficiency in understanding the concept of air pressure and how it affects the movement of the balloons.
  4. Takes responsibility for their actions and models safe behavior when blowing between the balloons.
  5. Recognizes the interconnectedness of the digital world by documenting their experiment and sharing their findings with others using appropriate digital tools.

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Given what we have learned, how does the Bernoulli principle relate to airplane flight?

(Answer: If air moves faster on one side of an object, the air pressure decreases and the object will move in the direction of the faster moving air. This is how wings create lift and why the objects in this experiment move in the direction of the faster air.)

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Lesson 2

May the Force Be With You - Lift

Next Slide has a Paper Airplane Alternative to Frisbees

Teacher Notes & Resources For Lesson:

  • The focus today is on Lift, you do introduce the 4 other forces as well.
  • YOU NEED SOME Frisbees, maybe PE has them. You only need a few, you could have a team competition by splitting class in half and see how many perfect throws each team had.

DO NOT TAKE 10 Frisbees outside and just start throwing them. You should critique each throw and get students to start using terms such as angel of attack, Draft, Drag, Low and High Pressure.

KEY POINT: Anyone who does NOT Draw the Wing and the Plane SHOULD NOT BE THROWING A Frisbee!!!! - Important to manage your class during this activity, set clear guidelines

Potential Lesson Timers used for pacing

Teacher Page: NOT SHARED WITH STUDENTS

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Paper Airplane Alternative:

Paper Airplane Testing

Flight works best in a warmer month when you can go outside.

Range Rules are great for flying paper airplanes! Line up, one direction, ready aim fire!

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Student Response:

As your teacher to play the video on the world's slowest planes, they can take off with a 20 foot runway!!! Explain HOW CAN THEY DO IT?

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Objectives

  • Describe how four key forces (lift, weight, thrust, drag) act on airplanes during flight.
  • Explain Bernoulli's principle.
  • Use Bernoulli's principle to explain what lift means with respect to airplanes.

Student Resources

  • Check out if you wanted to build your own plane

Student Instructions:

  • Today we may be throwing a Frisbee in teams, use good standards of workmanship if you are in other areas outside of the classroom. We are representing our class!!!

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Flying is this simple!!!

If is high pressure exists below the airplane and low pressure exists above the airplane, it will move up, which is where the lift force comes from.

When an airplane flies, the wing is designed to provide enough Lift to overcome the airplane’s Weight, while the engine provides enough Thrust to overcome Drag and move the airplane forward

YOU CHANGE TWO THINGS = ANGLE OF ATTACK & CAMBER THICKNESS

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Activity 2 : Everyone get out a blank sheet of paper and draw the wing design below

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Criteria

4 Points

3 Points

2 Points

1 Point

Accuracy of Wing Shape

Student accurately draws the wing with correct shape and proportions, including leading and trailing edges, and tip if applicable.

Student draws the wing with minor inaccuracies in shape and proportions, or one of the edges is not clearly defined.

Student attempts to draw the wing but with significant inaccuracies in shape and proportions, and both edges are poorly defined.

Student does not draw the wing or the drawing is completely inaccurate and unrelated to a wing.

Identification of Chord Line

Student correctly labels the chord line with an arrow indicating its direction.

Student labels the chord line but with minor errors in the placement or direction of the arrow.

Student attempts to label the chord line but with major errors in placement or direction of the arrow.

Student does not label the chord line or the label is completely incorrect or unrelated.

Identification of Camber Line

Student correctly labels the camber line with an arrow indicating its direction, if applicable.

Student labels the camber line but with minor errors in the placement or direction of the arrow, or fails to label it for a symmetrical wing.

Student attempts to label the camber line but with major errors in placement or direction of the arrow, or incorrectly labels it for a symmetrical wing.

Student does not label the camber line or the label is completely incorrect or unrelated.

Identification of Angle of Attack

Student correctly labels the angle of attack with an appropriate symbol or notation.

Student labels the angle of attack but with minor errors in the placement or notation.

Student attempts to label the angle of attack but with major errors in placement or notation.

Student does not label the angle of attack or the label is completely incorrect or unrelated.

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Primary Forces

Life is one thing, but there are 4 more important points that determine how a plane navigates.

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Thrust

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Lift

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Drag

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Weight

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Activity: Turn your wing sheet over and draw the plane below and label the forces

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Criteria

4 Points

3 Points

2 Points

1 Point

Accuracy of Plane Shape

Student accurately draws the plane with correct shape, including fuselage, wings, tail, and other relevant components.

Student draws the plane with minor inaccuracies in shape or proportions, or one of the components is not clearly defined.

Student attempts to draw the plane but with significant inaccuracies in shape or proportions, and multiple components are poorly defined.

Student does not draw the plane or the drawing is completely inaccurate and unrelated to a plane.

Identification of Lift Force

Student correctly labels the lift force with an arrow indicating its direction, typically pointing upward.

Student labels the lift force but with minor errors in the placement or direction of the arrow.

Student attempts to label the lift force but with major errors in placement or direction of the arrow.

Student does not label the lift force or the label is completely incorrect or unrelated.

Identification of Weight Force

Student correctly labels the weight force with an arrow indicating its direction, typically pointing downward.

Student labels the weight force but with minor errors in the placement or direction of the arrow.

Student attempts to label the weight force but with major errors in placement or direction of the arrow.

Student does not label the weight force or the label is completely incorrect or unrelated.

Identification of Thrust Force

Student correctly labels the thrust force with an arrow indicating its direction, typically pointing forward.

Student labels the thrust force but with minor errors in the placement or direction of the arrow.

Student attempts to label the thrust force but with major errors in placement or direction of the arrow.

Student does not label the thrust force or the label is completely incorrect or unrelated.

Identification of Drag Force

Student correctly labels the drag force with an arrow indicating its direction, typically opposing the motion.

Student labels the drag force but with minor errors in the placement or direction of the arrow.

Student attempts to label the drag force but with major errors in placement or direction of the arrow.

Student does not label the drag force or the label is completely incorrect or unrelated.

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Frisbee Cues

So to recap below are the cues I use to help kids remember to throw the frisbee correctly.

  • Grip:
    • Thumb on Top – Fingers on the Bottom
  • Throw:
    • Point – Cross – Step – Flick
  • Catch
    • Aligator Snap
    • Crab Claws

What do “Standards of Workmanship Procedures” look like when we go outside to throw the frisbee. We have 2 Frisbees.

Goals is to see angle of attack and release point when throwing a frisbee. Everyone will get a chance.

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Activity - Who can throw a Frisbee and Why does it fly?

Who in class knows how to throw a Frisbee?

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Student Response:

  1. All airplanes are subject to three forces during flight.

  • Bernoulli's principle causes thrust to happen?

  • When weight is greater than lift, an airplane descends?

  • Why are Frisbees shaped the way they are?

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Lesson 3

Tug of War - Weight

Teacher Notes & Resources For Lesson:

  • The Focus is on how weight affects everything. Students can relate to the football player, but make other examples as well. - Truck vs sports car and etc.
  • You can break up the activity into small groups today or do it as a class, you will need a lot less material.

Material Needed

  • Some extra large, heavy paper clips
  • 6-7 6-inch rubber bands OR, make a 6-10-inch chain of 10-15 smaller rubber bands
  • 3 identical hardcover books about one-half-inch thick; such as math books, encyclopedias, dictionaries. Tell students the day before to bring them.
  • 1 yardstick
  • masking tape; share a roll among all groups

Potential Lesson Timers used for pacing

Teacher Page: NOT SHARED WITH STUDENTS

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Discussion Questions:

  1. How Does Newton's 2nd law relate to flight?

  • Think about the slowest plan, how quickly it moved, WHY?

Student Response:

As you watch the video on the on newton's 2nd law answer the questions below

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Objectives & Success Criteria

  • Explain that the force needed to accelerate an object is proportional to its mass and weight.
  • Explain how Newton's second law of motion applies to airplanes.
  • Generate conclusions based on experimental data.

Student Resources

Student Instructions:

  • As a class or in groups you will be measuring the effect weight has on objects and its ability to more or what happens when it starts to move, how difficult it is to change directions.

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force = mass x acceleration.

In other words, a heavy object requires a greater force to move than a lighter object.

In the 2023 NFL Football Draft the Washington Commanders selected CB Emmanuel Forbes with their number one pick. At the NFL Scouting Combine in late February he weighed in at just 166 pounds and is the lightest defensive back drafted since at least 2000. How Can He Play In The NFL?

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Activity: Each group needs:

  • Some extra large, heavy paper clips
  • 6-7 6-inch rubber bands OR, make a 6-10-inch chain of 10-15 smaller rubber bands
  • 3 identical hardcover books about one-half-inch thick; such as math books, encyclopedias, dictionaries
  • 1 yardstick
  • masking tape; share a roll among all groups

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Experimental setup: Using four paperclips and two 6-inch rubber bands (or a chain of smaller rubber bands 6-10-inches long), attach a rubber band/paper clip sling to each of two books; see Figure below for an example of how to configure the sling. Bend the free end of each paperclip to make a right-angled hook. Insert each hook into the book's spine, or use masking tape to attach the hooked paperclip to the outside book end. The object is to have the rubber bands pull the books toward each other. Refer to the experimental setup on the worksheet.

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Place the experimental setup on a smooth surface, such as a wooden table or laminate countertop.

Lay down the yardstick in front of the books (see Figure 2) so you can see where the books are located in relation to one another; position them 6-10-inches apart.

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Experiment Part 1—One book vs. one book: Pull the books apart a few inches . Read the numbers on the yardstick that correspond to the inside edges of each book (the area spanned by the rubber band slings). Record this number here

Now let the books go. Expect them to move the same distance towards each other.

Record the position where the books collide or come to rest. Record this number here

Repeat steps above for three trials (that is, three times).

Experiment 2—One book vs. two books: Stack two books on top of one of the books being measured, and run the experiment three more times. If twice as many books are on one side, what happens to the lighter side and why? Record answer here

BE PREPARED TO SHARE

What did you learn from the experiment?

The stretched rubber bands pull on both books equally, and both books move�towards each other equally, but why when one book is stacked higher �(with two books total), the pulling force only moves the stack half as far �as the single book?

How would this same concept relate to Large airplanes that weigh a lot?

EXIT

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Criteria

4 Points

3 Points

2 Points

1 Point

Experimental Setup

Student accurately follows the instructions and sets up the experimental apparatus with four paperclips, two 6-inch rubber bands (or equivalent length), and attaches the slings to the books as described. The setup is neat and secure.

Student follows most of the instructions and sets up the experimental apparatus with minor inaccuracies or deviations, or the setup is somewhat messy or insecure.

Student attempts to set up the experimental apparatus but with significant inaccuracies or deviations, or the setup is messy and insecure.

Student does not set up the experimental apparatus correctly or does not attempt the setup at all.

Data Recording and Measurement

Student accurately records the numbers on the yardstick that correspond to the inside edges of each book, as well as the position where the books collide or come to rest for each trial. The measurements are precise and consistently recorded.

Student records the numbers on the yardstick with minor errors or inconsistencies, or the position where the books collide or come to rest is slightly imprecise or inconsistent for some trials.

Student attempts to record the numbers on the yardstick and the position where the books collide or come to rest, but with major errors or inconsistencies in measurements or recordings.

Student does not accurately record the necessary data or makes no attempt to record the measurements.

Explanation of

Experiment 2

Student provides a clear and accurate explanation of what happens to the lighter side when stacking two books on one side, demonstrating an understanding of the concept. The explanation includes a relevant reason for the observed outcome.

Student provides an explanation of what happens to the lighter side when stacking two books on one side, but with minor inaccuracies or missing some key details, or the reason given for the observed outcome is somewhat unclear or unrelated.

Student attempts to provide an explanation of what happens to the lighter side when stacking two books on one side, but with major inaccuracies or missing several key details, or the reason given for the observed outcome is unclear or unrelated.

Student does not provide a clear or accurate explanation of what happens to the lighter side when stacking two books on one side, or provides no explanation at all.

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Lesson 4

May the Force Be with You - Thrust

Teacher Notes & Resources For Lesson:

  • Some of the slides are animated so you will have the discussion prior to the answer. Utilize a think pair share technique or ways to get all students involved.
  • When you do the wall activity, be careful on how you manage it in your classroom. YOU could just have a few students at a time, DO NOT DO THE ENTIRE class, unless you have great classroom management.

Material - Balloons - You could split the class into a few groups and they could have a designated balloon inflator. OR you could just have a few students demo it in front of the class.

Potential Lesson Timers used for pacing

Teacher Page: NOT SHARED WITH STUDENTS

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Discussion Questions:

  1. How do propellers and jet turbines generate thrust?

** The video may have an answer to the question.

Student Response:

As your teacher plays the video on NEWTON’S CRADLE, answer the few questions below

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Objectives & Success Criteria

  • State that thrust is one of the four main forces acting on an airplane.
  • Identify that thrust is an example of Newton's third law of motion.
  • State Newton's third law of motion and provide real-world examples of the law.
  • Explain the difference in how jet engines create thrust compared to propeller engines.

Student Resources

Student Instructions:

  • You or some of your classmates may be up and moving around today and working with some balloons. Use good standards of workmanship and and keep your focus on thrust and how when an object is pushed upon, pressure is exerted back, even if that object is a wall.

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How does a car move forward?

Why do you think an airplane is able to move forwards?

It moves forwards by pushing backwards on the road. Knowing this, how does an airplane move through the air when no roads exist on which to drive.

The answer lies in Newton's third law of motion that states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. For example, if you were to stand on a skateboard and throw a bowling ball in one direction, you and the skateboard would move in the opposite direction of the bowling ball. Throwing the bowling ball is the action while the movement of the skateboard is the opposite reaction. This is how an airplane moves, but instead of throwing bowling balls, it "throws" lots of air molecules in the opposite direction of its movement.)

A jet engine and a propeller work together by grabbing air and "throwing" it backwards very quickly. This throwing of the air is the action. The reaction is that the airplane moves in the opposite direction—forwards.

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Activity (1 Student Volunteer)

I will assign you to a wall where you can stand in front of it.

NOW push on the wall as hard as you can. Did you instinctively brace yourself before pushing?

You did not fall over and the wall did not move. This is an example of a slow collision.

Now stand upright and flat-footed, close to the wall. Push as hard as they can. What happens?

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Activity

Take your balloon and Blow up the balloon just a little bit. (Note: stretch the balloon while it's deflated to make the first blow up easier.)

Gently let the air out of the balloon without letting go of the balloon. Feel the stream of air as it comes out. This sensation is caused by the air molecules colliding with your hand. When they do, the skin on your hand is pushed inwards a small amount, and the air molecules bounce off backwards. Both your skin and the air molecules are affected equally, but since your skin weighs so much more, it moves less.

Blow up the balloon until it is almost full. Gently let the air out again and feel the stream of air. Ask students to observe and describe what happened. Expect students to feel the air come out much faster because the pressure inside the balloon is greater.

Blow up the balloon a little bit and let it go. Do the same with the balloon filled all the way. Notice how much faster the balloon accelerates when it is full.

This demonstrates Newton's third law of motion: every action has an equal and opposite reaction. The force of the air leaving the balloon is equal to the force of the balloon moving forward. A small balloon travels more slowly and a shorter distance than a big balloon because a big balloon releases more air!

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Voting: Vote by holding thumbs up for true and thumbs down for false.

  • True or False: Thrust is based on Newton's third law of motion.
  • True or False: Newton's third law of motion states that for every action there is an unequal but similar reaction.
  • True or False: When air molecules collide with each other (such as the compressed air zooming out of a balloon and hitting the air molecules near the balloon's outlet), they just sit still.
  • True or False: If a big truck and small car going the same speed (both driven by remote control) crashed into each other, the small car would move away from the crash faster.

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Lesson 5

May the force be with you - Drag

Teacher Notes & Resources For Lesson:

The best way to show drag is for the students to build something simple. Pass out the Drag Shapes Handout, one per group. Keep in mind you are still working on “Standards of Workmanship in this Unit”. You may need to take a group of students yourself or keep certain students close to your work station. In a large classroom or workshop, you should set up shop where you can view all students. Do not get into an area of the classroom where you can not quickly look up and observe all students.

You may have 15 students in your group, but 15 others have showed that they can work alone and independently, so you can release them to work on their own and you may need to keep a large group yourself. We are trying to build up to some more involved projects. Do not give up on the students and say they can’t do it and do not take the experience away from the students who can.

Each group needs:

  • modeling clay, for wight; alternatively use washers or pennies
  • cellophane or masking tape
  • 1 pair of scissors
  • Drag Shapes Handout, one per group
  • A device with a stopwatch (Cell Phone, Watch, or Stopwatch)
  • 1 meter stick for all groups to share
  • 1 balance; share among teams as necessary

Potential Lesson Timers used for pacing

Teacher Page: NOT SHARED WITH STUDENTS

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Discussion Questions:

  • Why is Drag important in an airplane?
  • When your run, what causes drag on you?

As your teacher plays the video on DRAG , answer the few questions in your head

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Objectives & Success Criteria

  • Explain that drag is one of the four main forces acting on airplanes.
  • Describe how the shape, area and speed of an object affects drag.
  • Identify which of the four forces of flight opposes the force of drag (thrust).
  • Explain why understanding drag is important to engineers who design airplanes.

Student Resources

  • Want to learn a little more about Forces and Newton’s laws, check out the Khan academy resources

Student Instructions:

  • Today we will be constructing some objects to look at a little more about drag and how it can have an impact on an airplane.

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What is DRAG?

What happens to your arm/hand when you stick it out the window of a moving car?

For our purposes, drag is defined as something that slows you down - You can feel drag when you walk in a swimming pool. A fisherman feels the drag on his lure as he pulls it through the water. Drag is a force that acts in the opposite direction than an object is moving.

The arm/hand gets pushed backwards.) This is because drag is acting on your hand. Now, what can you do to increase the amount of drag on your hand? - Turn to your partner and discuss.

Can you think of a situation where drag is a good thing to have occur? (Playing the video at 2:19 will show the answer)

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Activity

Four students in each group

CONSTRUCTION: Cut out the �shapes from the handout.

    • Construct the cones by taping �one side of the pattern to the other to hold the paper in the cone shape.
    • Construct the boxes by folding on the solid lines and taping the tabs in place. Leave the boxes with one open side.
    • Press a mound of clay (or tape pennies or washers) to the bottom inside of each object. If using clay, use the balance to make sure each shape is the same mass; add or remove clay as necessary.
    • Within each group, each object should have the same mass. To demonstrate that mass does not affect drag, have group 1 make all their objects 10 grams, group 2 = 20 grams, etc.

Materials List

Each group needs:

  • modeling clay, for wight; alternatively use washers or pennies
  • cellophane or masking tape
  • 1 pair of scissors
  • Drag Shapes Handout, one per group
  • A device with a stopwatch (Cell Phone, Watch, or Stopwatch)
  • 1 meter stick for all groups to share
  • 1 balance; share among teams as necessary

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Experiment and Data Collection:

  1. Select one person to stand on a chair and drop the objects from 2 meters above the floor.
  2. When the person with the stopwatch says "go," the timing begins and the object is dropped at the same time. When the object hits the floor, the timer stops the watch.
  3. Conduct three trials (take three measurements) of how long it takes for each object to fall. Be meticulous about dropping the objects from the same height each time.
  4. Add up the results for each object and divide by the number of trials to get the average for each object.
  5. Record your observations on the table to the right.

Which shapes fell faster?

What sizes fell faster?

What does this tell you about the drag on each of these objects?

Object

MASS

Attempt

Time to Fall (Seconds)

Average Time Divide / 3

Small Cube

1

Small Cube

2

Small Cube

3

?

Large Cube

1

Large Cube

2

Large Cube

3

?

Small Cone

1

Small Cone

2

Small Cone

3

?

Large Cone

1

Large Cone

2

Large Cone

3

?

EXIT Activity

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Criteria

4 Points

3 Points

2 Points

1 Point

Construction of Cones and Boxes

The cones and boxes are constructed accurately by following the instructions, resulting in sturdy and well-formed shapes.

The cones and boxes are mostly constructed accurately, with minor deviations from the instructions and some slight weaknesses in the shape's structure.

The cones and boxes are partially constructed accurately, with noticeable deviations from the instructions and weaknesses in the shape's structure.

The cones and boxes are not constructed accurately or do not meet the requirements, resulting in weak and poorly formed shapes.

Experimental Procedure

The experimental procedure is followed precisely, including consistent dropping height, meticulous timing, and recording accurate observations in the table.

The experimental procedure is mostly followed accurately, with minor deviations in dropping height, timing, or recording observations.

The experimental procedure is partially followed accurately, with noticeable deviations in dropping height, timing, or recording observations.

The experimental procedure is not followed accurately, with significant deviations in dropping height, timing, or recording observations.

Analysis and Conclusion

The observations and data recorded in the table are used to accurately identify which shapes and sizes fell faster, and a clear and insightful conclusion about the drag on each object is provided.

The observations and data recorded in the table are mostly used to identify which shapes and sizes fell faster, with some minor inconsistencies or limited insight into the drag on each object.

The observations and data recorded in the table partially identify which shapes and sizes fell faster, with noticeable inconsistencies or limited understanding of the drag on each object.

The observations and data recorded in the table do not accurately identify which shapes and sizes fell faster or provide sufficient understanding of the drag on each object.

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Lesson 6

Designing your flying machine

Teacher Notes & Resources For Lesson:

** Bring in 4 or 5 kitchen or household utensils; "odd" shapes if possible, such as a whisk, pastry cutter, wire coat hanger and tongs. If you can get some donated great. If any students bring them in, they can use them as part of their design if they have parent permission to tape and glue stuff to them. - The point of this is NOT to fly the objects, but have students be creative and have a purpose of each area of their aircraft for a purpose. How will they generate lift and thrust (not that their plane has to in real life). They are building a prototype of a future Plane!!

Materials List

Each group needs:

  • 1-2 sheets of construction paper per student
  • a variety of drawing media: crayons, colored pencils, markers, etc.
  • brown paper bag
  • assorted craft construction or recycled materials
  • (optional) protractor, ruler or compass, if desired.

Potential Lesson Timers used for pacing

Teacher Page: NOT SHARED WITH STUDENTS

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Discussion Questions:

  • Why make a prototype?
  • Why is he weighing everything?

Student Response:

1

2

As your teacher plays the video on the homemade ultralight plane, answer the questions below.

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Objectives & Success Criteria

  • Work in a group to brainstorm a flying machine design.
  • Incorporate the principles of geometry (including surface area, shape and symmetry) in their designs.
  • Apply the forces of flight to a model design and justify the design in terms of those factors.
  • Share their designs with the class and explain the important features to their peers.
  • Utilize the steps of the engineering design process that your class agreed upon.

Student Resources

  • Future of Flight - Here is one thought

Student Instructions:

  • Your team will need to construct of Prototype of a Future Flying Machine. Remember it should glide, AND it must have the necessary components for it to work. You learned about flight, now put that knowledge to work.

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Deliverables:

  1. Final Design: Students must create a visually represented final design of their futuristic plane using the chosen odd shape household object as the base.
  2. Design Documentation: Students should submit a written document that includes sketches, explanations, and the rationale behind their design choices, focusing on the integration of the four forces of flight and the Bernoulli principle.
  3. Presentation: Each student will present their design to the class, explaining the concept, design features, and the scientific principles incorporated.

Timeline:

  • Design Brief Introduction and Object Selection: Day 1
  • Design Development and Documentation: Day 2
  • Final Design & Presentations: Day 2

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Criteria

4 Points

3 Points

2 Points

1 Point

Creativity and Originality

The design proposal demonstrates exceptional creativity and originality, showcasing innovative and unique ideas that go beyond expectations.

The design proposal demonstrates creativity and originality, incorporating some unique ideas that enhance the concept.

The design proposal shows limited creativity and originality, with few unique ideas that enhance the concept.

The design proposal lacks creativity and originality, with no unique ideas or innovative concepts.

Integration of Four Forces

The design proposal effectively integrates the four forces of flight (lift, weight, thrust, and drag), showcasing a comprehensive understanding and balance of each force.

The design proposal integrates the four forces of flight adequately, demonstrating an understanding of their significance, but with some minor inconsistencies or imbalances.

The design proposal attempts to integrate the four forces of flight, but with significant inconsistencies or imbalances, or lacks a clear understanding of their significance.

The design proposal does not effectively integrate the four forces of flight or demonstrates a clear understanding of their significance.

Application of Bernoulli Principle

The design proposal demonstrates a thorough understanding of the Bernoulli principle and its role in generating lift. The application of the principle is clear and effectively implemented in the design.

The design proposal shows an understanding of the Bernoulli principle and its role in generating lift, with some minor inconsistencies or limited implementation in the design.

The design proposal attempts to apply the Bernoulli principle, but with significant inconsistencies or limited understanding of its role or implementation.

The design proposal does not effectively apply the Bernoulli principle or demonstrates a clear understanding of its role.

Presentation and Communication

The presentation is well-structured, engaging, and effectively communicates the design concepts, integration of forces, and the application of the Bernoulli principle. The visual aids, such as illustrations, models, and renderings, enhance the presentation.

The presentation is structured and communicates the design concepts, integration of forces, and the application of the Bernoulli principle, with some minor inconsistencies or areas for improvement in engagement. Visual aids adequately support the presentation.

The presentation lacks structure and coherence, making it difficult to understand the design concepts, integration of forces, and the application of the Bernoulli principle. Visual aids are minimal or do not effectively support the presentation.

The presentation is disorganized, unclear, or lacking in communication of the design concepts, integration of forces, and the application of the Bernoulli principle. Visual aids are absent or do not contribute to the presentation

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Materials List

Each group needs:

  • 1-2 sheets of construction paper per student
  • a variety of drawing media: crayons, colored pencils, markers, etc.
  • You can bring in "odd" shape objects if possible, such as a whisk, pastry cutter, wire coat hanger and tongs, to add to your plane design.
  • brown paper bag
  • assorted craft construction or recycled materials
  • (optional) protractor, ruler or compass, if desired

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Examples of Odd Shape Objects around the home to create your futuristic flying machine. There are 100’s of more ideas out there.

A teapot: Add wings and propellers to create a flying teapot-inspired aircraft.

A bicycle wheel: Attach a central cockpit and additional wings to transform it into a futuristic flying vehicle.

A lampshade: Combine it with a lightweight framework and propellers to make a hovering lightship.

A watering can: Modify it with streamlined surfaces and propulsion systems for a unique aerial gardening machine.

A kitchen colander: Enhance it with a cockpit and stabilizers to fashion a futuristic flying sieve.

A flower vase: Incorporate it into an airship design by adding a gondola and gas-filled chambers.

A blender: Convert it into a flying contraption by incorporating rotor blades and a control panel.

A shoe: Attach wings, thrusters, and a control mechanism to create a flying footwear-inspired vehicle.

A coat hanger: Reinvent it with a central cabin and propellers to craft a mini flying machine.

A cooking pot: Combine it with wings and jet engines for a futuristic flying cauldron.

  1. A toolbox: Modify it with additional wings, engines, and a control system to make a flying toolbox-inspired vehicle.
  2. A candle holder: Transform it into a hovering candlelit aircraft by adding wings and levitation technology.
  3. A toy dinosaur: Incorporate it into a flying machine design as a unique decorative element or mascot.
  4. A bicycle frame: Attach wings, a tail, and a power source to create a futuristic flying bicycle.
  5. A decorative mask: Add wings, engines, and control surfaces to create a flying mask-inspired vehicle.
  6. A picture frame: Reinvent it with wings, propellers, and a cockpit to design a flying picture frame.
  7. A salad bowl: Modify it with a central cabin, wings, and engines to craft a futuristic flying salad bowl.
  8. A bookshelf: Transform it into a flying book repository by adding wings, propellers, and a navigation system.
  9. A flowerpot: Attach wings, propulsion systems, and a cockpit to create a flying planter-inspired vehicle.
  10. A wall clock: Incorporate it into a flying machine design as a unique timekeeping device or navigational instrument.

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How many of you like to doodle?

Many inventions were "doodles" before they became reality. Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was famous for his notebook doodles and sketches of ideas for "futuristic" things that today are realities, such as helicopters, parachutes and airplanes.

When you doodle an idea on a piece of paper, you are really starting one of the steps of the engineering design process—generating ideas.

Brainstorming is another way of coming up with ideas and is one of the key steps of the engineering design process: imagine possible solutions. "Two minds are better than one?" This is true because each person has a different and unique way of answering a question, and sometimes when you are stuck on a question or problem, a little help from a friend or neighbor can make it easier to develop solutions.

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TASK: Design a Futuristic Flying Machine!!!

Tomorrow I will Bring in household objects or you can, we will pull them out of a bag and your job will be to sketch a futuristic invention, using the device. Example: A rocket ship powered by water.

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Let's all give it a try today

Using the object to the left as your frame, sketch out a futuristic flying machine, but make sure it has the parts above, you may want to include a propeller as well.

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Criteria

4 Points

3 Points

2 Points

1 Point

Presentation Clarity and Coherence

The presentation is clear, well-structured, and effectively communicates the design concept, showcasing the futuristic flying machine's features and functionality.

The presentation is generally clear and coherent, communicating the design concept and showcasing the futuristic flying machine's features and functionality, but with minor inconsistencies or areas for improvement.

The presentation lacks clarity and coherence, making it difficult to understand the design concept and showcase the futuristic flying machine's features and functionality.

The presentation is unclear and incoherent, failing to effectively communicate the design concept and showcase the futuristic flying machine's features and functionality.

Visual Representation

The sketch provides a visually appealing representation of the futuristic flying machine, with clear details, proportions, and annotations that enhance understanding.

The sketch provides a mostly clear visual representation of the futuristic flying machine, but with minor inconsistencies or areas for improvement in details, proportions, or annotations.

The sketch lacks clarity and precision in visual representation, making it difficult to understand the design details, proportions, or annotations.

The sketch is visually confusing or poorly executed, hindering understanding of the design details, proportions, or annotations.

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Lesson 7

DAy 2 of Designing Your Flying Machine

Teacher Notes & Resources For Lesson:

When students complete their My Design Worksheet they can pick a partner if they have not done so already and you can let them have the supplies. You will be releasing students all day and helping the others come up with ideas. There may be a few students who do not build, but just come up with and idea and complete the Design process. That is OK, we are not teaching students how to make creative futuristic planes, we are teaching the design process, that is the priority. The carrot you are dangling is that all students who complete the worksheet can build something.

Materials List

Each group needs:

  • 1-2 sheets of construction paper per student
  • a variety of drawing media: crayons, colored pencils, markers, etc.
  • brown paper bag
  • assorted craft construction or recycled materials
  • (optional) protractor, ruler or compass, if desired.

Potential Lesson Timers used for pacing

Teacher Page: NOT SHARED WITH STUDENTS

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Student Response:

Which one of the crazy ideas from the video the teacher is playing will work and why?

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Objectives & Success Criteria

  • Work in a group to brainstorm a flying machine design.
  • Incorporate the principles of geometry (including surface area, shape and symmetry) in their designs.
  • Apply the forces of flight to a model design and justify the design in terms of those factors.
  • Share their designs with the class and explain the important features to their peers.
  • Utilize the steps of the engineering design process that your class agreed upon.

Student Resources

  • My Design Worksheet

Student Instructions:

  • When completed you can get your material and construct the device you think will work.
  • Remember it doesn't have to fly, but who knows we may put a propeller on the best one and try it out.

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  • My Design Worksheet

When completed you can get your material and construct the device you think will be the flying machine of the future.

Remember it doesn't have to fly, but who knows we may put a propeller on the best one and try it out.

OR

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Construction: 1& 2 Day

Each day be prepared to show off your futuristic flying machine to the rest of the class.

Team members will explain how they considered the four forces of flight (drag, thrust, lift and weight) in their designs.

You will explain the best part of your designs and what could possibly go wrong with it (that is, what could be fixed in future models of their flying machines).

Engineers go through the design-build-redesign process many times before they get to an acceptable finished product.