|
Wright
Brothers' Invention Process
|
(1901 - 1902)
- Tested Theories
The early kite
and glider
experiments did not meet the performance goals which the brothers calculated before
the flights. In late 1901, the brothers began to doubt the data which they were
using to design their aircraft. They built a
wind
tunnel and developed model-testing
techniques
including a
balance
to more accurately determine the lift and drag of their aircraft.
They tested
over two hundred different wings and airfoil
models
to improve the performance of their gliders. Their very
successful 1902
aircraft was based on their new data.
Today, NASA engineers at Ames, Langley, and
Glenn Research Centers use sophisticated models and wind tunnels
to study a variety of problems associated with modern aircraft design.
These tunnels and test techniques are only modern improvements on
the original work done by the Wright Brothers.
You can use a computer simulator
of the Wright tunnel to find out how it
works.
| Legend
of Related Programs:: |
W |
Website |
| L |
Lesson
Plans/Materials |
| A |
Activity |
| V |
Webcasts/Video |
| C |
CD-ROM |
| S |
Simulation |
| Program |
Description |
Grade |
W |
L |
A |
V |
C |
S |
| Central
Operations of Resources for Education (CORE) |
CORE
is the world-wide distribution center of NASA-produced,
educational, multimedia materials. The public has access
to over 200 videocassettes, slides, and CD-ROMs chronicling
NASA's state-of-the-art research and technology. |
K-16 |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
| Curveball |
Students
learn about the principles of aerodynamics by controlling
the conditions of a big league baseball pitch. |
9-12 |
x |
|
|
|
x |
x |
| Earth-to-Orbit
Engineering Design Challenge |
This
program presents junior high school students with some
of the same aeronautical and engineering design challenges
faced by NASA scientists today. Students work together
to design, build, test, and redesign models that meet
specific criteria to counteract common engineering difficulties.
|
6-9 |
|
|
x |
|
|
|
| Exploring
Aeronautics CD-ROM |
This
software provides interactive tutorials on the principles
of flight and aircraft design. A companion website gives
an introduction to and instructions on how to incorporate
these materials into math, science, technology, and geography
curricula. |
5-8 |
|
|
|
|
x |
|
| Foil
Sim II |
This
software fosters hands-on inquiry-based learning by computing
the theoretical lift of a variety of airfoil shapes. The
user can control the shapes, size, and inclination of
a wing, and test their decisions in a simulated wind tunnel.
|
9-12 |
x |
|
|
|
x |
x |
| Learning
Technologies Project |
This
project helps integrate NASA research and technology into
the K-14 curriculum through web-based resources, computer
simulations, and videoconferences. Many ready-made lesson
plans, activities, and experiments that deal with the
science of aerodynamics are available. |
K-14 |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
x |
| Mobile
Aeronautics Education Laboratory (MAEL) |
The
mobile state-of-the-art Aeronautics Education Laboratory
brings new technologies to partnership cities to excite
students about science and math. Visitors can experience
10 hands-on workstations that model real world aviation
chK-16enges like weather forecasting, flight design, airfoil
design, and flight controls. |
K-12 |
|
x |
|
|
|
x |
| NASA
Connect |
NASA
Connect is an award winning series of instructional television
programs that are proven to capture the imagination of
elementary and middle school students. This program establishes
connections between NASA research and math, science, aeronautics,
and technology content taught in the classroom. |
5-8 |
x |
|
x |
x |
|
|
| NASA
Explores |
This
website features weekly educational activities and updates
on cutting edge research and development for elementary,
middle, and high school students. Each week two new articles
on aeronautics technology with lesson plans and adapted
activities are featured. |
K-12 |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
|
| NASA
Quest |
Meet
the people of NASA and look over their shoulder as they
make NASA goals a reality. This website brings NASA personel
and scientists into the classroom via the internet. |
K-12 |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
| NASA
Quest Aero Design Team |
This
resource K-16ows teachers and students to see NASA employees
performing aeronautics design and research in wind tunnels
and flight simulators. Hear from NASA engineers as they
design safer, more efficient, quieter, and faster airplanes.
|
K-16 |
x |
|
x |
|
|
|
| Research
Tools to Design an Airplane |
This
website explains what it takes to design an airplane,
including wind tunnels, computations, flight simulation,
and research flights. |
K-16 |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
| Spacelink |
This
website contains a search tool to discover a wealth of
NASA programs, research opportunities and educational
materials. |
K-12 |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
| The
NASA Science Files |
The
Science Files are an educational television program designed
to enhance and enrich the teaching of math and science
in '3-5. This program deals with numerous topics related
to aviation, aerospace, science, technology, and math.
|
3-5 |
x |
|
x |
x |
|
|
| The
Wright Way |
Learn
about the development of the first manned, powered flight
from its conception through research and experimentation,
to success and beyond. This website features facts, lesson
plans, simulations, activities, and contains information
on how to participate in the Centennial of Flight Celebration.
|
K-12 |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
x |
| Tools
of The Trade Poster |
This
poster features research aircraft, and contains hands-on
activities for building and experimenting with basic wing/tail
canard configurations |
K-12 |
|
x |
x |
|
|
|
| Virtual
Skies |
This
interactive website, designed to teach decision making
and problem-solving skills, guides students through an
exploration of the world of aeronautics. Learn the principles
of flight, flight planning, see large wind tunnels in
operation, consider career options, and more. |
9-12 |
x |
|
x |
|
|
x |
| Wind
Tunnel Teacher's Guide |
The
major parts of a wind tunnel are described, and animation
is used to demonstrate how they operate. This guide provides
a classroom activity in which a teacher can design their
own wind tunnel. |
8-12 |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
x |
| Wright
Flyer Online |
Learn
about a full-sized replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer. Students
can follow the trailing vortex as it is tested in a NASA
wind tunnel. |
9-12 |
x |
|
|
|
|
x |
|
Related Research Programs
| The
Icing Research Branch |
The NASA icing research
branch utilizes a flying laboratory to study the development
and effects of icing while in flight, and a unique refrigerated
wind tunnel to create realistic icing conditions for modeling
and research. NASA has three icing research goals: icing
avoidance, icing tolerance for safer operation of flights,
and to discover the atmospheric characteristics of ice.
The icing research branch has played a substantial role
in developing, testing, and utilizing methods to prevent
ice build up on aircraft. |
| Future
Flight Central |
Future Flight Central
is a fully interactive air control tower simulator. This
world-class facility allows for research and practice
in airport planning, technology evaluation, procedures
development, and training. The simulator allows researchers
and airport professionals to develop new techniques and
test new ideas in a virtual airport control tower environment.
|
| Human
Automation Integration Research (HAIR) |
The Human Automation
Integration Research Branch is studying ways to optimize
interactions between automated systems and humans. The
goal of the program is to capitalize on the skills and
capabilities of experienced flight controllers and pilots,
while minimizing human error. |
|
|
