NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Event Focus

Teachers, are you looking for real life applications of the science and math concepts that students are learning in the classroom? Want to highlight the career connections and see how NASA research applies to the world of Air Transportation? This module allows you to explore many resources related to NASA research and development of technologies for Next Generation Air Transportation.

Description

Aeronautics research at NASA is organized under the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, or ARMD. Its five research programs and testing facility program work to improve our national air transportation system by developing "green aviation" solutions. We start at the fundamental level by asking the basic questions first—"How do we do this?" "What will happen if we do this?" "How do we measure this?" "What's a more environmentally friendly way to do this?"

Nearly every aircraft today has a NASA-supported technology on board that helps the vehicle fly more safely and efficiently.

With world-class federal, industry and academic partners, we are creating the Next Generation Air Transportation System, or NextGen. Our work will help find solutions for increasing the capacity, efficiency and flexibility of our national air space, and to help address substantial noise, emissions, efficiency, performance, and safety challenges.

By exploring this variety of resources, you will find activities to reinforce many of the concepts covered in your curriculum. From basic algebra to computational fluid dynamics, there is truly something for everyone!

ATC Past, Present, and Future

Watch this short video to better understand the history of Air Traffic Control and how it works.

Career Focus Interview with Kevin Coyne

Share with your students insights from Kevin Coyne, ATC at Richmond International Airport, about the career of an Air Traffic Controller.

The Aeronautics Mission Directorate (ARMD) website

This is an excellent source of information. Don’t miss the “Imagine” video, highlighted at the top right side of the page. Be sure to explore the NASA Aeronautics Research onboard interactive. This allows you to learn about the many NASA technologies and that are in aircraft and the air transport industry.

http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/about_us.htm

Museum in a Box - Lessons for classroom instruction

The science of flight includes the study of air pressure, conditions in the atmosphere, energy transfer and many other topics that are already a part of your existing curriculum. NASA MIB is packed with activities that allow your students to experience these concepts in a meaningful context.

http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/mib.htm

Museum in a Box Promo

SmartSkies

Getting “from here to there” often involves planes passing through many communication hubs and being “handed off” from one set of Air Traffic Controllers to another. Watch this short video to better understand how the process of ATC works. Then, test your skill at ATC with SmartSkies or the Sector 33 app.

http://smartskies.nasa.gov/

Sector 33 Introduction

Listen in as Air Traffic Controller, Kevin Coyne shares his insights on using Sector 33 and the Smart Skies ATC simulator with students.

Sector 33 Tips for Teachers

Listen in as Air Traffic Controller, Kevin Coyne shares his insights on using Sector 33 and the Smart Skies ATC simulator with students.

Trainer tutorials and resources can be located at http://smartskies.nasa.gov/trainer/videos.html

FOILSim

Computational Fluid Dynamics is a vital tool which allows engineers and scientists to study and predict the flow or movement of air. When you’re trying to improve a vehicle’s flight efficiency, these are important things to know! Experiment with these variables using NASA’s FOILSim, an interactive computer simulation software that demonstrates airflow around various shapes of airfoils.

http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/freesoftware_page.html

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

NASA works closely with the FAA in the process of developing Next Gen Technologies. Visit http://www.faa.gov/nextgen/ for more information!

If you have any questions or inquiries please email Bonnie Murray at bonnie.murray@nasa.gov

 

Instructional Objectives

Teachers will discover resources available to support student learning with real life application examples and computer model simulation activities.

Sequence of Events

Pre-Conference Activities

Suggested pre-connection activities

- Materials needed for activities during the connection

- Review Vocabulary

Videoconference Activities There is no video connection necessary. Post-Conference Activities Post-Connection: for follow up please feel free to contact Bonnie Murray at bonnie.murray@nasa.gov. Suggested follow up activities - Evaluate Materials - Discover Additional Resources

Standards

National Science Education Standards

SCIENCE AS INQUIRY CONTENT STANDARD A:

• Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

• Understanding scientific inquiry

PHYSICAL SCIENCE CONTENT STANDARD B:

• Motion and Forces

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CONTENT STANDARD E:

• Understanding about science and technology

• Abilities of technological design

SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVES CONTENT STANDARD F:

• Science and technology in society

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF MATHEMATICS (NCTM)

Standard 4 - Measurement

• In all grades students should apply a variety of techniques, tools, and formulas for determining measurement

Standard 8 - Communication

• In all grades students should organize and consolidate their mathematical thinking to communicate with others

• Express mathematical ideas coherently and clearly to peers, teachers and others