Aerodynamic Adventure

 

Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

 

Introduction:

Amelia Earhart was born in Atchison, Kansas, July 24,1898. She was the first woman to make a solo flight over the Atlantic Ocean. She recorded many other firsts in aviation history as either pilot or copilot.Earhart developed an interest in flying during her youth. In July 1937, as she attempted the first round-the-world flight via the equator with navigator Frederick J. Noonan, her plane mysteriously disappeared after takeoff from New Guinea. The mystery surrounding this flight has puzzled many people.

This webquest begins your aerodynamic adventure to assist Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan in a successful completion of their flight. We hope you will enjoy some aerodynamic adventures. During this webquest your group will face lofty challenges. Try to navigate through the following activities. Be sure to stay on task!

 


The Task:

Your group of investigating aviators must complete a training process to develop skills that will enable you to simulate the flight of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan in 1939. Your skills should help in analyzing what you believe happened to the lofty two. You must enter the navigator training area in Plane Math Activities. First read Process I and Process II. Then report to Plane Math activities.

 

 

The Process:

Process Part I:

Make sure your group has a copy of the Aerodynamic Worksheets.

Training will include all of the following Plane Math Activities, Applying Flying.

  1. Flight Plan
  2. Bird's Eye View
  3. Pie In The Sky
  4. Plane Capacity
  5. Liftoff
  6. Go Fly a Kite
  7. Runways and Takeoffs
  8. Time Flies
  9. Fill'Er Up

 

Process Part II: Read all directions before you click.

  1. Make sure your group has a copy of the Amelia Earhart worksheet.
  2. Record information on data obtained in Pioneer Program Guide.
  3. Training will commence with Pioneer Plane. Go Now!
  4. Follow pilot Tim's instructions.
  5. When movie is complete, advance to activity.
  6. Record your flight plan for 10 attempts in Explorer Mode.
  7. Data should include degree of accuracy for reaching the Howland Islands 10 times.
  8. If time allows, you may continue in Challenge Mode.

Prepare a 5 –10 minute presentation about your aerodynamic adventure.  Teach the class some of the basics of what you have learned and design a quick problem for a volunteer to practice (Don’t pick a goof ball).  DO NOT READ BORING PARAGRAPHS TO THE CLASS!  Discuss it like you know what you are talking about!  Use several visual aids to help the class understand the topic.

Resources:

World Wide Web Plane Math - NASA

 

  1. Read short stories about the flight (eg. "The Last Flight")
  2. Documentary movies about America during this dynamic era (see librarian)
  3. Prepare charts/graphs/diagrams for future class presentation
  4. Suggested topics for research/discussion -Women's Issues - WWII - Prediction of their fate - Modern reenactments of the real flights via internet.

 

Evaluation:

Turn in activity sheets with accuracy and complete sentences

Web Quest Evaluation Rubric                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                               

 

Conclusion:

This exercise will allow the learner an opportunity to enhance skills in Math and Science.