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

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.

Learners assemble a hot-air balloon from tissue paper. The heated air (from a heat gun) inside the balloon is less dense than the surrounding air and causes the balloon to float.

In this activity, learners design a bicycle helmet. Participants will explore the design of bicycle helmets to gain an appreciation for the role that helmet layers play protecting the head.

In this activity, learners explore the properties of paper by constructing and modifying paper airplanes.

In this activity, learners explore how boats are engineered to achieve speed.

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.

In this activity (on page 4), learners create a submarine using a plastic sandwich bag. This is a fun way to learn about buoyancy and how captured gas can cause objects to float.

In this activity, learners explore how engineers design tire treads to increase safety and reliability.

In this design challenge activity, learners build a car that can travel at least four feet using rubber band power and use the design process to debug problems.

Using simple, inexpensive items, learners build and test submarine models.

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.

In this design challenge activity, learners add a jet-propulsion system (i.e. a balloon) to a blimp so it flies straight and far under its own power.

In this design and physics challenge, learners construct a cylindrical wing, fly it, make modifications, and determine how the changes affect flight patterns.

In this puzzle, learners investigate the decisions involved in linking a network between houses in a muddy city.

In this activity, learners experience some of the challenges of "tele-operating" a robotic vehicle on another planet when they design and execute a series of commands to guide a human "rover" through

In this activity, learners work in teams build and launch rubberband-powered foam rockets.

In this design activity, learners create a vehicle that can transport a load, like a favorite toy or as a recycled object, from the top of a zipline to the bottom using only gravity.

In this activity, learners simulate a multistage rocket launch using party balloons, fishing line, straws, and a plastic cup.

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