Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
AirfoilsAeronautics
Rachelle Oblackrachelle.oblack@nasa.gov
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Let’s Get Silly!
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Bernoulli’s Principle
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Paper Airplanes – YEAH!• Excellent demo or activity to activate
students brains• Use models online• Build your own paper airplane• Can be used later
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
What Is an Airfoil?
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Spinning Fan Blades
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Making an Airfoil• Use poster board, cardstock paper, or
manila folders• Cardboard is also easy to use.• Fold and tape• Attach strings
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Step 1
Lay cardboard flat and measure 15 mm from one end and 24 mm from the
other end and make a line on each.
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Step 2
Fold in halfMake a camber top by lining the edge of the paper to the
24 mm side.
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Step 3
Make a hole in the bottom and top, through the widest
part.Attach string with tape.
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Step 4
Attach wire to base.Add bead to top.
Secure loosely at 70°.
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Step 5
Observe and then set to 40°.Turn plane upside-down and
repeat same procedures.
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Substitutions
Foam boardCraft wire
Play dough2 String hooks
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Paper Airplanes Again• Connect to real work – Wind tunnel
testing• Dip deeper into student though
processes• Improving on an experimental design
Imagine It! Explore It! Do It!
Goal?• I want to know the maximum angle of
attack for my airplane before it stalls.• I want to make an airplane that…– Flies farthest– Climbs highest– Etc.