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Foam Wing cover showing an image of Richard Whitcomb with the supercritical wing model at NASA Langley Research Center.

Audience

Educators

Grade Levels

Grades K-4, Grades 5-8, Grades 9-12

Subject

Physical Science, Flight and Aeronautics, Forces and Motion

Type

Lesson Plans / Activities

PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT

Foam Wing

The Foam Wing activity is intended to be presented to a general audience at science centers and museums. Participants will be perform some activities illustrating Bernoulli’s Effect. They will also be able to wear giant foam wings and utilize a simulated wind tunnel to feel the potential of lift. The instructor will deliver information on airfoil design, lift, and Bernoulli’s Effect, initiated by a prompting question(s) expressed to the participant. Participants at and above the 5th grade level can engage in a brief description of the area rule and laminar flow.

Foam Wing (K-12)

Grade Level: K-12

Time Required: 15 minutes

National Science Standards Addressed:

Science K-4:

  • Properties of objects and materials
  • Objects in the sky
  • Understanding about science and technology
  • Science and technology in society

Science 5-8:

  • Motion and forces
  • Understanding about science and technology

Science 9-12:

  • Motion and forces
  • Understanding about science and technology

Topic: Bernoulli’s Principle, Forces, Fluids, Pressure, Air, Motion, Area

This activity is part of the Museum in a Box Lessons