Wings
To Rockets!
Presented by:
Ashley
Smith, Kano Clark, Kim Beech, and Kano Clark
Mission
Statement:
By wheel and boat, early man learned to traverse the Earth and Seas.
Conquering skies, however, proved to be a far more challenging task.
For centuries, we have looked to the clouds and beyond with wonderment,
searching for a way to overcome and defeat gravity. Join us as we
explore Man’s loftiest ambition: From Wings to Rockets; The
pursuit of FLIGHT
Philosophy:
Throughout history, Man has consistently sought to exceed the
limitations which confine him. By learning to fly, we have crossed
oceans and continents with record speed and taken our first steps on
the moon. It is our shared belief, however, that the pursuit of flight
is more than a more quest for faster transportation.
The freedom of flight represents the culmination of our
creativity and perseverance a testament to our unwillingness to be
bound or restrained. In learning about our triumphs and failures in
aviation, we witness firsthand the indomitable nature of Man’s
imagination.
Guiding Questions:
• Why is flight important?
• What does flight represent?
• What are some of the historical influences on
the successors of aircrafts?
• What were some of the causes of aircraft
failures?
• What is the role of imagination in creating
variations of flight?
• What are the advantages of flight?
• Why does humanity want to defy the constraints
of gravity?
Focusing Questions:
Core:
• How important is the planning process of
constructing an aircraft?
• What are the chief responsibilities of the
Federal Aviation Administration and National Aeronautics and Space
Administration?
• What are some of the most successful
historical flights?
• How are all aircraft propelled?
• What are the passions that led to flight?
• How has aviation technology affected the
growth and spread of culture and ideas?
Connection:
• How does aviation have an effect on
today’s travel?
• How would society be different if we all had a
flying aircraft?
• How did previous failures contribute to
today’s aircrafts?
• How would society be different if aircrafts
were never invented?
Identity:
• What would you do to counteract your failure?
• What thinking capabilities and creative
responses would an ideal pilot have to possess?
• Speculate how aircrafts will be improved in
your lifetime.
• In your opinion, should propeller planes be
replaced with engine planes?
Practice:
• Why should we continue to research innovative
ideas in creating aircrafts?
• What are the various uses in aircraft?
• What occupations could you obtain with a
pilot’s license?
• Why should we study the historical
significance of aircraft technology?
Concepts:
Imagination, Creativity, Exploration, Experiment, and Creative problem
solving
Experiences:
Introduction:
Pretest
• Discussions on how humans fly without aid.
• Introductions
• History of aircraft
• Discussion
Kites:
Students will view a PowerPoint on the history of kites and how the
Wright brothers used built a small maneuverable kite to verify their
ideas. Students will create their own impression of how they want their
kite to look. They will learn that no matter what kites look like they
all have the same force.
Gliders:
Students will view a PowerPoint on the history of gliders and how Sir
George Cayley is considered the father of aerodynamics. Students will
create /decorate their own version of how a glider should look and
assemble a high flying glider.
Hot Air Balloons:
Students are continually building to the level of self flight and hot
air balloons are the second level. They will view a PowerPoint
discussing the jargon and vocabulary of aerodynamics in the capacity of
balloons. Students will view a you tube video of how to make a hot air
balloon. Students will create their own hot air balloon and understand
why and how it works.
Airplanes:
Students will watch a short PowerPoint showing picture of the Wright
brothers and their plane/bicycle/accomplishments.
Orville and Wilbur Wright reached great accomplishments in the study of
flight. Students will be introduced to Orville and Wilbur Wright and
their accomplishments regarding the first powered airplane.
The Teacher will show students a model Wright Airplane from 1902.
Students will also be introduced to the history of Alcock and
Brown’s Transatlantic Flight non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean
in 1919. Students will listen to an abbreviated version of the
steps taken by Alcock and Brown before, during, and after the famous
non-stop flight with the lights off lying in the floor. Students will
then write a description of how they interpreted Alcock and
Brown’s feelings before, during, and after the flight.
Jets:
Jets have played an important part in world war and global
transportation. Students will use library books to research different
style/kinds of aircraft.
The Teacher will show a short PowerPoint of the many different types of
jets/planes with motors.
The Teacher will show and pass around a model Hornet Blue Angel jet.
Students will observe its detailing and structure.
Students will utilize the computers to play airplane games on Flight
Simulator X. This will give students an idea of how to maneuver planes
while engaging in action.
Helicopters:
Students will be introduced to Igor I. Sikorsky and his development of
the helicopter. We will collectively discuss the uses and kinds
of helicopters while passing around a model of a helicopter.
Students may go online to view types of helicopters and its uses to
http://www.allstaraerial.com/aircraft_types.htm.
Students will engage in becoming a helicopter pilot at
griffin=helicopters.co.uk
Rockets and beyond:
The teacher will open with PowerPoint presentation about the history of
rockets and space travel. The students will learn about the basic
principles of aeronautical engineering, such as thrust and propulsion.
The students will construct simple designs of rockets. The students
will build larger scale models of rockets and execute launches.The
students will visit the NASA website to view photos/film from actual
launches and missions.
Culminating activity:
Students will compare the different types of aircraft and discover that
humans invented these types of devices only because they wanted to soar
much like the supernatural. Students will then reflect back to each
type of aircraft and distinguish what made each one successful. Through
thorough research and indistinguishable faith the students will create
their own costume and attempt to create a flying cape. The students
will then compile a booklet describing and illustrating their
“Journey to Flight”.
Exit: Post Exam and receive their pilot’s license
Outcomes
Thinking Skills:
• Demonstrate the ability to sue creative
thinking skills
• Participate in spontaneous thinking skills
Group Dynamics:
• Demonstrate the ability to develop new
knowledge from what is known
• Demonstrate task commitment
Research:
• Utilize ability to make interdisciplinary
connections
• Utilize inductive and deductive reasoning
skills
Self Directed learning
• Utilize decision making skills
• Utilize risk taking abilities
References
•
De Seversky, A. (1942). Victory through airpower. Simon and Schuster.
•
Freudenthal, E. (1949). Flight into history. University of
Oklahoma Press.
•
Musciano, W. (1953). Building and flying scale-model aircraft. The
McBride Company, New York.
•
Munson, K. (1966). Fighters. The McMillan Company, New York.
•
Munson, K. (1966). Bomberes. The McMillan Company, New York.
•
Munson, K. (1967). Civil airliners since 1946. The McMillan Company,
New York.
•
Munson, K. (1967).Private aircraft, business and general. The
McMillan Company, New York.
•
Whitenhouse, A. (1971). The military airplane. Doubleday and Company,
Inc.
