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FlyBy Math: Distance-Rate-Time Problems in Air Traffic Control
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In this small-group activity, learners assume the roles of pilots, air traffic controllers, and NASA scientists to solve five Air Traffic Control (ATC) problems.

Wind Tunnel
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Scientists use enormous wind tunnels to test the design of planes, helicopters, even the Space Shuttle.

Balloon Drive
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In this challenge, learners make a helium balloon hover in one spot and then move it through an obstacle course using air currents.
Balloon Surprise
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In this activity, learners discover a trick to release the air out of a balloon without popping it.

Balloon Hovercraft
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In this activity (on page 2 of the PDF under GPS: Luge Activity), learners will construct a model hovercraft out of an empty spool and a piece of cardboard.

Convection Demonstration
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In this quick activity (located on page 2 of the PDF under GPS: Balloon Fiesta Activity), learners will see the effects of convection and understand what makes hot air balloons rise.
Up, Up and Away with Bottles
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In this activity, learners make water rockets to explore Newton's Third Law of Motion. Learners make the rockets out of plastic bottles and use a bicycle pump to pump them with air.

Sky Glider Challenge
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In this design challenge activity, learners use two helium-filled balloons to build a blimp that can travel in a straight path across the room.

Jet Propulsion
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In this two-part activity, learners work in pairs to examine the four basic stages of a turbine engine.

Blow-and-Go Parachute
Learners make a skydiver and parachute contraption and launch it. They see that the drag created by air resistance slows the descent of skydivers as they travel back to Earth.

Hovercraft
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In this activity, learners build a hovercraft using a paper plate, cup, and simple motor.

Launch It
Add to list DetailsIn this design challenge activity, learners use a balloon and other simple materials to design an air-powered rocket that can hit a distant target.

Cup Sailing Game
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In this online Flash game, learners will captain a sailing challenge, adjusting boat direction and sails, seeking the way to take greatest advantage of varying wind speeds and directions to catch the

Playing with Parachutes
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In this activity, learners explore how parachutes are used to slow down moving objects. Learners work in teams of "engineers" to design and build their own parachutes out of everyday items.

Wingin' It
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Learners explore the Bernoulli effect by building an airfoil (airplane wing) and making it fly.

Echo Base Bobsleds
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The goal of this activity is to build a miniature bobsled that is either the fastest or the slowest. Learners use recycled materials to design, build, and test their bobsled on a bobsled track.

Airboat
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In this activity related to Newton's Laws of Motion, learners build a boat powered by a propeller in the air.

Homemade Hovercraft!
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This activity (on page 2 of the PDF under SciGirls Activity: Hovercraft) is a full inquiry investigation into hovercraft engineering and design optimization.

Model Wind Tunnel
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In this activity, learners build a miniature wind tunnel to measure force. Learners construct the model out of Lexan plastic, a fan, and a precise digital scale.

Airplane Wing Investigation
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This activity (located on page 3 of the PDF under GPS: Balloon Fiesta Activity) is a full inquiry investigation into Bernoulli’s principle and airplane wings.