Course Overview
Flight and Space brings the exciting world of aerospace to life. Students become engineers as they design, prototype, and test models to learn about the science of flight and what it takes to travel and live in space. They solve real-world aviation and space challenges, investigate the forces that govern flight, explore the history of aerospace innovation, and plan a mission to Mars. This unit connects physics, engineering, and imagination in ways that inspire students to reach for the stars.
The Big Idea
From the first powered flight to missions beyond our solar system, aerospace engineering has pushed the boundaries of what's possible. Understanding the science of flight opens the door to humanity's greatest adventures.
Course Units
Unit 1: Principles of Flight
Students investigate the four forces of flight — lift, drag, thrust, and weight — and explore how aircraft are designed to manage these forces. They conduct experiments with airfoils and wing shapes, analyze how Bernoulli's principle creates lift, and connect aerodynamic principles to the design of real aircraft.
Key Activities
- Investigate the four forces of flight through experiments
- Test different wing shapes and their effect on lift
- Explore Bernoulli's principle with hands-on demonstrations
- Analyze the design features of different aircraft types
Unit 2: Aircraft Design & Prototyping
Students apply their knowledge of aerodynamics to design and build model aircraft. They use the engineering design process to sketch, build, and test gliders and other flying models, iterating on their designs based on test results. Students experience firsthand how engineers balance competing design constraints.
Key Activities
- Design and build a paper glider using aerodynamic principles
- Test and measure glider performance (distance, hang time)
- Iterate on designs based on test data
- Compare design choices and their effect on flight performance
Unit 3: The Science of Space
Students explore the conditions of space and the challenges of space travel. They investigate orbital mechanics, the effects of microgravity, and the life support systems needed to keep astronauts alive. Students examine the history of space exploration — from Sputnik to the International Space Station — and consider the future of human spaceflight.
Key Activities
- Explore the history of space exploration milestones
- Investigate orbital mechanics and satellite motion
- Analyze the challenges of living in microgravity
- Research life support systems used on the ISS
Unit 4: Mission to Mars
Students apply everything they've learned to plan a mission to Mars. Working in teams, they tackle the engineering challenges of getting to Mars, surviving on the surface, and returning safely to Earth. They design mission components, calculate travel requirements, and present a comprehensive mission plan.
Key Activities
- Research the conditions on Mars and mission requirements
- Design a habitat for surviving on the Martian surface
- Calculate travel time, fuel, and supply requirements
- Present a complete Mars mission plan to the class
Skills You'll Build
Transferable skills developed throughout this course. Learn more about each skill →