http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_airplanes/cub_airplanes_lesson09.xmllessontext/xmlIntegrated Teaching and Learning Program, balsawing shapescontrol surfacecontrol planegliderairplanesflightGliderKiteControl VariableBalsaDistanceDesign

In this lesson, students will learn about kites and gliders and how these models can help in understanding the concept of flight. Students will design and build their own balsa wood models and experiment with different control surfaces. The goal of this lesson is for students to apply their existing knowledge about the four forces affecting flight and apply engineering design to develop a sound glider. They will also communicate the reasoning and results of any design modifications made.

Orville and Wilbur Wright were two early aeronautical engineers. When they designed their first airplane, they built balsa models and kites to test how well their airplane would fly. Modern engineers do the same thing when designing airplanes. Engineers today also use computers to test aspects of their designs before they build the real thing. This is less expensive, easier and quicker since they can learn from the mistakes on the small-size, inexpensive models as opposed to mistakes made on full-size, expensive airplanes. Identify the four forces affecting flight.Describe the evolution of flight design through history.Explain why engineers build models before a final product. Give examples of how aircraft models can be modified to improve flight. 50TeachEngineering.orgTom RutkowskiAlex ConnerGeoffrey HillMalinda Schaefer ZarskeJanet Yowellhttp://www.turnertoys.com/G1/balsa_model_airplanes3.htmS114172CInternational_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyC. Many inventions and innovations have evolved using slow and methodical processes of tests and refinements. 68S11425A8ColoradoScienced. Research and critically evaluate data and information about the advantages and disadvantages of using fossil fuels and alternative energy sources66United StatesCopyright 2012 - Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulderhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2012-01-196Teacher