2003 Flight Forecast - Classroom Activities

The central activity of the 2003 Flight Forecast program is to predict the weather conditions for the Centennial of Flight celebration's re-creation of the Wright Brothers' First Flight. Use the activities below to help students make their predictions based upon an understanding of historical weather trends and the relationship between weather and flight. The activities are arranged according to an increasing level of complexity. They are not identified by grade level because some activities work across a range of grades.

All of the activities align with either the National Science Education Standards, the National Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, or some combination of both. As a collection, the activities offer a range of ideas and styles so that every teacher will find something to use.

P R I M A R Y

Arranging Numbers with Kitty and Hawk [ Connection to Standards ]
Two characters—Kitty and Hawk—engage very young students with an exploration of data that will help them to make their prediction.
Wondering About Weather with Kitty and Hawk [ Connection to Standards ]
This second activity builds on the first exploration of data (see "Arranging Numbers with Kitty and Hawk" above), helping young students visualize number patterns in preparation for making their forecasts.
The Effect of Wind on Flight [ Connection to Standards ]
Engage young students with a hands-on inquiry to discover the relationships between weather and flight.
Why Kitty Hawk, North Carolina? [ Connection to Standards ]
An elementary exploration of the forces of flight prepares young students to think about their flight forecasts.
Cloud Clues [ Connection to Standards ]
Clouds offer important clues for meteorologists and aviation experts alike. Includes an online interactive that invites students to answer questions about clouds.
When Lightning Strikes [ Connection to Standards ]
Is lightning a threat to flight safety? Use the information and activities here to learn more about lightning and its effect on flight.
The Atmosphere and Flight [ Connection to Standards ]
What effect does the atmosphere have on the forces of flight? Pilots must understand the nature of the atmosphere and its layers in order to keep their planes safely in flight.
Graphing Weather Trends - Beginner [ Connection to Standards ]
This activity encourages students to use spreadsheet software to analyze historical weather data in preparation for making their prediction.
Graphing Weather Trends - Advanced [ Connection to Standards ]
Building on the previous activity (see "Graphing Weather Trends - Beginner" above), students add additional data considerations to their spreadsheets and graphs.
Forces and Flight [ Connection to Standards ]
A mathematical explanation of the forces of flight, including lift, weight, thrust, and drag. Practice problems challenge students to solve for the forces.

S E C O N D A R Y It's All About Air Pressure [ Connection to Standards ]
A basic introduction and consideration of air pressure and Bernoulli's Principle. Includes instructions and a plan for using NASA FoilSim which simulates air flow against a foil.