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Make a Model of a Wright Flyer

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Subjects

  • Arts & Humanities
    --Architecture
    --Visual Arts
  • Mathematics
    --Applied Math
    --Measurement
  • Science
    --History
    --Physical Science
  • Science
    --History
    --Physical Science: Physics
  • Social Studies
    --History: U.S. History

Grade

  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12

Brief Description

Create a model of the Wright brothers' engine-powered glider.

Objectives

Students will

  • follow directions accurately.
  • learn about the Wright brothers' engine-powered glider.

Keywords

Wright brothers, aviation, glider, plane, airplane, transportation

Materials Needed

  • Styrofoam® -- one meat tray or two egg cartons per student
  • carbon paper
  • wooden toothpicks
  • a dime
  • scissors
  • tape
  • white glue

Lesson Plan

Before the Lesson
Before the lesson, you will want to create a pattern for students to trace. Use the following resource for the pattern:

Styrofoam Wright Flyer, 1903

The Lesson

Introduce students to the engine-powered glider that flew 120 feet in 12 seconds on December 17, 1903. You might share a biography from the school or public library collection. You might also present the following resources/information:

Next, provide students with the pattern you have prepared based on the design at Styrofoam Wright Flyer, 1903. Students will use carbon paper or a sharp pencil to trace onto the Styrofoam the pattern of the flyer.

Then follow the assembly/gluing instructions provided at Styrofoam Wright Flyer, 1903.

Finally, when the glue has completely dried, students can gently fly their model 1903 flyers, "nice and low like Wilbur and Orville did in 1903."

Assessment

How well did students follow instructions? Have students write a brief paragraph explaining some of the important things they know about the Wright Brothers' flight on December 17, 1903.

Lesson Plan Source

Education World (with a resource from the FAA)

Submitted By

Gary Hopkins

National Standards

FINE ARTS: Visual Arts
GRADES K - 4
NA-VA.K-4.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes
NA-VA.K-4.5 Reflecting Upon and Assessing the Characteristics and Merits of Their Work and the Work of Others
NA-VA.K-4.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines
GRADES 5 - 8
NA-VA.5-8.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes
NA-VA.5-8.5 Reflecting Upon and Assessing the Characteristics and Merits of Their Work and the Work of Others
NA-VA.5-8.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines
GRADES 9 - 12
NA-VA.9-12.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes
NA-VA.9-12.5 Reflecting Upon and Assessing the Characteristics and Merits of Their Work and the Work of Others
NA-VA.9-12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines

LANGUAGE ARTS: English
NL-ENG.K-12.12 Applying Language Skills

MATHEMATICS: Geometry
GRADES 3 - 5
NM-GEO.3-5.4 Use Visualization, Spatial Reasoning, and Geometric Modeling to Solve Problems
GRADES 6 - 8
NM-GEO.6-8.4 Use Visualization, Spatial Reasoning, and Geometric Modeling to Solve Problems
GRADES 9 - 12
NM-GEO.9-12.4 Use Visualization, Spatial Reasoning, and Geometric Modeling to Solve Problems

SCIENCE
GRADES K - 4
NS.K-4.2 Physical Science
NS.K-4.4 Earth and Space Science
NS.K-4.7 History and Nature of Science
GRADES 5 - 8
NS.5-8.2 Physical Science
NS.5-8.4 Earth and Space Science
NS.5-8.7 History and Nature of Science
GRADES 9 - 12
NS.9-12.2 Physical Science
NS.9-12.4 Earth and Space Science
NS.9-12.7 History and Nature of Science

SOCIAL SCIENCES: U.S. History
GRADES 5 - 12
NSS-USH.5-12.6 Era 6: The Development of the Industrial United States (1870-1900)
NSS-USH.5-12.7 Era 7: The Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930)

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