Target Grades:

K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

These Web sites were prepared at NASA Glenn Research Center to provide background information for secondary math and science teachers on the basics of aerodynamics of airplanes and propulsion. Included are slides that will give you a better understanding of how airplanes work and answer the questions, "What causes the lift that gets the airplane off the runway?" and "How does a pilot control the movement of the airplane?" They will also help you to understand the basic principles of thrust, Newton’s Laws of Motion, and of different types of airplane engines. Students of all ages are welcomed. Use student interest in airplanes to introduce some simple math and physics principles and problems. The problems for use in class are included in square brackets – [Like this].

The format of the pages allows you to download your own copies of the information. Each slide is accompanied by a caption that explains what the slide is about and goes into some detail about the physics and math related to the subject of the slide. There are often links and references to other slides and sites where you can find additional information. At the end of each page there is a button labeled "Show Slide." Clicking on this button will display the slide alone, without the captions. The slide will be oriented in such a way to give you the largest, most detailed copy. You can use your browser’s print command to make your own copy of the slide without the accompanying caption. Each slide fits on a single sheet of paper.

System Requirements: Web Browser / Internet Access / Microsoft PowerPoint for some slide sets

Web Access: http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/index.html