

Aeronautics Unit

Lesson Description Prep Time Lesson Time Needed Complexity Beginner's Guide to Aeronautics Students perform a series of simulations to explore the theory and practice of flight.

Keywords: Newton's Laws of Motion, forces of flight, lift, drag, thrust, engineering design process, kites 1 Hour per computer simulation 1 Hour per computer simulation Advanced Getting Off the Ground into the Smart Skies! Computer-based mathematics-focused introduction into the Air Traffic Control, or ATC, system. Using the Smart Skies: Line Up With Math activity, students learn how NASA engineers use ATC simulations to make flying safer and more efficient.

Keywords: air traffic control, simulator, computer-based 1 Hour 3 Hours Moderate Getting the Drop on Flight with the 'X' Planes Students learn how small-scale models developed with simple materials can result in new aircraft and future space launch vehicles.

Keywords: X-planes, gliders, flight testing, models 1 Hour 1.25 Hours Moderate Learning the 'Wright' Way to Fly! Students construct 3 different kite models and predict the most effective design. Design and test and aircraft given several parameters and explain how early flight was influenced by kites.

Keywords: kite, forces of flight, Newton's laws, laws of motion 1 Hour 2.5 Hours Moderate

Challenges Unit

Lesson Description Prep Time Lesson Time Needed Complexity Electrodynamic Propulsion Activity challenges students to solve a real-world problem that is part of the space program using creativity, cleverness, and scientific knowledge, while learning about electricity, magnetism, forces and energy transfer. 4-8 Hours Twelve 45-Minute Sessions Advanced On Target Challenge Students modify a paper cup so it can zip down a line and drop a marble onto a target.

Keywords: engineering challenge, scientific method, rockets, moon, Newton's laws, engineering design process, moon, Mars, acceleration, vector, trajectory, potential energy, kinetic energy, LCROSS 15-30 Minutes 1 Hour Basic Spacecraft Structures Activity challenges students to solve a real-world problem that is part of the space program using creativity, cleverness and scientific knowledge while learning about forces, structures and energy transfer.

Keywords: engineering challenge, scientific method, rocket, thrust structure, engineering design process, force, motion, energy transfer,potential energy, kinetic energy, unbalanced forces, compression 4-8 Hours Six 45-Minute Sessions Moderate Thermal Protection Systems Challenge Activity challenges students to solve a real-world problem that is part of the space program while learning about heat and heat transfer.

Keywords: engineering challenge, scientific method, heat transfer, transfer of energy, engineering design process, space shuttle, tiles, conductor, insulator, radiation, ablative shield 4-8 Hours Seven 45-Minute Sessions Advanced Touchdown Challenge Students design and build a shock-absorbing system that will protect two "astronauts" when they land.

Keywords: engineering challenge, scientific method, rockets, moon, Newton's laws, engineering design process, moon, Mars, energy 15-30 Minutes 1 Hour Basic

Design Process Unit

Exploration Unit

Lesson Description Prep Time Lesson Time Needed Complexity Crew Exploration Vehicle Students design and build a crew exploration vehicle, or CEV, that will carry two cm-sized passengers safely and will fit within a certain volume (size limitation).

Keywords: engineering, design process, rovers, entry, descent, landing 15-30 Minutes 1-2 Hours Intermediate Landing a Rover Teams' challenge is to design and build a model of a lunar transport rover that will carry equipment and people on the surface of the moon.

Keywords: exploration, engineering, design process, rovers, planet surface, energy, force, momentum 30-60 Minutes Three 1-Hour Sessions Intermediate Moon Rovers Students design and build a rubber band-powered rover that can scramble across the room.

Keywords: exploration, engineering, design process, rovers, energy, force, momentum 15-30 Minutes 1 Hour Basic NASA Simulations Students use NASA web-based simulators to follow sequenced directions and complete ordered tasks while learning how the shuttle is made ready for flight, how the shuttle docks with the International Space Station, how the shuttle lands, and how NASA retrieves the solid rocket boosters.

Keywords: simulations, computer simulations, computer-based 15-30 Minutes 1 Hour Basic

Robotics Unit

Lesson Description Prep Time Lesson Time Needed Complexity Heavy Lifter Students design and build a crane out of cardboard. Determine methods to reinforce the crane's arms so it doesn't collapse under a heavy load, and build a crank handle.

Keywords: engineering, design process, rovers, entry, descent, landing 20 Minutes 1.5 Hours Basic Robotics - Hands Down! Lesson includes a series of activities that are based on robotics applications.

Keywords: effector, pick up, grab, space station, glove 20 Minutes 3 Hours Basic Using Robotics Students simulate operating a planetary rover and problem solve solutions. Work within a mission team setting to problem solve and accomplish a common goal, and research examples of real world applications of robotics.

Keywords: programming, control, remote 20 Minutes 3 Hours Moderate

Rocketry Unit

Lesson Description Prep Time Lesson Time Needed Complexity Heavy Lifting Air Engines Students use balloons to demonstrate concepts applied by jet and rocket engines to supply thrust for movement.

Keywords: jets, airplanes, balloons, aeronautics, thrust, rockets, vectoring, Newton's Laws of Motion 30 Minutes 1-2 Hours Basic Nose Cone Aerodynamics Students compare the aerodynamic features of different nose cone designs.

Keywords: engineering design process, Newton's Laws of Motion, engine, gravity, drag, parachutes, fin, payload, trajectory, stability, launcher rocket,wind tunnel, propulsion, lift, drag, weight, thrust 30 Minutes 1 Hour Moderate

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