This project-based learning course engages students who are curious about aviation and aerospace careers. This course will introduce students to an engineering design process, tools to collect and analyze data, the science of aviation, materials and structures, and safety. Students will participate in real-world experiences such as designing, building and testing a pilot seat, kite, straw rocket and launcher, motor-powered rocket, and a model glider.

Please take a look at the projects and photos below!

Project 1: Pilot Seat

Students were tasked with designing, testing, and building a frame for a pilot seat. They began with research about the size, style, shape, and various materials to make the frame. Next, we had a mathematics lesson about 2-dimensional cuts on 3-dimensional objects, so students would be able to draw their seat frames in SolidEdge, a 3D sketching software. Students then used a simulation in the software to test how their designs would perform under various forces and identify weak spots in the frame. After making improvements, we 3D printed the chairs.

Project 2: Kite Design

Students were tasked with designing, testing, and building a kite that would gain high altitude in low wind conditions. They could use materials such as wooden dowels, plastic, newspaper, string, tape, glue, and any other easily accessible materials. Our mathematics lesson for this project involved right triangle trigonometry that students learned in geometry. Students used a clinometer to measure the angle of elevation, a tape measure to know how much string was let out, and trigonometry to measure the altitude of the kite. After initial testing, students made improvements to their final design before testing which kite would fly the highest!

Project 3: Ballistics

Students were tasked with researching, designing, testing, and collecting and analyzing data for a straw rocket. The only materials they had were a straw, modeling class, and paper. Our mathematics lesson for this project involved projectile motion and kinematic equations. Students also learned about how to populate equations in a digital spreadsheet in order to predict landing spots for their projectile. Students tested their straw projectile using various launch angles and initial velocities. After testing and collecting data, students had to use their data collection to decide on the appropriate launch angle and initial velocity to hit a target!

Project 4: Propulsion

Students were tasked with designing, testing, and building a rocket that would gain the highest altitude and carry various payloads. Prior to creation, students used a computer software, Open Rocket, to try various sizes and shapes for the different parts of the rocket. Then students had to design their nose cone using a 3D modeling software, design their fins and cut them out of balsa wood, and research the various parts of the rocket for construction. Our mathematics lesson for this project involved right triangle trigonometry so students could measure the altitude of their rockets with various payloads. Students also learned how to measure the area under a thrust curve to detremine specific impulse for the motor. Students used a clinometer to measure the angle of elevation, a tape measure to know how far away they were standing from blast off point, and trigonometry to measure the altitude of the rocket. Blast off day was exciting to see our products actually work!