Unit 2: Understanding Structures and Mechanisms - Flight
The use of flight technologies has substantial effects on both society and the environment. In order to understand the principles of flight, students must first learn about the properties of air that make flight possible. Through investigations, observations, and experiments, students will discover that flight occurs when the characteristics of structures take advantage of certain properties of air (for example, air takes up space, has mass, expands, and can exert a force
when compressed). They will then apply their newly acquired knowledge to design and test a flying device.
It is important that students be able to identify practices that ensure their personal safety and the safety of others and demonstrate an understanding of these practices. As students explore flying things, it is important that they understand why projectiles of any kind should always be aimed away from spectators, and why buildings, trees, and overhead wires present hazards to anyone flying kites or airplanes.
You will be introduced to various scientific concepts related to flight. You will assess the societal and environmental impacts of flying devices and how they make use of the properties of air.
Please start the unit by competing Activity 1: Introduction to Flight (and continue the activtyes in order).
Online Unit: Flight