Substitute Lesson Plan: Introduction to Aeronautics

Resource: Aeronautics: An Educator's Guide with Activities in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education (NASA, EG-2002-06-105-HQ)

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Objective

Students will learn what the field of aeronautics is (the study of flight and the operation of aircraft), where the term originates, and how NASA's Aerospace Technology Enterprise works to improve air travel through goals like increasing safety and reducing emissions.

Materials

• Printed or digital copies of the "Preface/How to Use This Guide" section (page 2) and the "Aerospace Technology Enterprise" section (page 6) from the resource
• Whiteboard or chart paper and markers
• Paper and pencil for each student (for exit ticket)

Warm-up (~5 min)

1. Write the word "AERONAUTICS" on the board.
2. Ask students: "Has anyone heard this word before? What do you think it means?"
3. Take 2-3 guesses aloud, then read the definition from the guide's Preface: "The term aeronautics originated in France, and was derived from the Greek words for 'air' and 'to sail.' It is the study of flight and the operation of aircraft."
4. Ask students to repeat the definition in their own words to a neighbor.

Main Activity (~25 min)

1. Read aloud together (5 min): Read the Preface section (page 2) as a class, either round-robin or with the substitute reading aloud. Pause after key sentences to check understanding.

1. Discuss the three chapters (5 min): Explain that this guide is organized into three chapters of hands-on activities:
2. Air
3. Flight
4. We Can Fly, You and I

Write these three chapter names on the board. Ask students to guess what kinds of activities might be in each chapter based on the name alone.

1. Read the Aerospace Technology Enterprise section (10 min): Read aloud page 6, explaining that this is NASA's mission for aeronautics. Highlight the four bold goals:
2. Revolutionize aviation
3. Advance space transportation
4. Pioneer technology innovation
5. Commercialize technology

Focus discussion on "Revolutionize Aviation" since it has the most detail. Point out the two specific goals listed:

• Increase safety (reduce aircraft accident rate by a factor of 5 within 10 years, and by a factor of 10 within 25 years)
• Reduce emissions (reduce NOx emissions of future aircraft by 70% within 10 years and 80% within 25 years)

1. Class discussion (5 min): Ask students:
2. "Why do you think NASA cares about making airplanes safer?"
3. "Why do you think reducing emissions from airplanes matters?"

Write a few student responses on the board.

Wrap-up / Exit Ticket (~10 min)

Have students answer the following on a half-sheet of paper (write these on the board):

1. In your own words, what does the word "aeronautics" mean?
2. Name the three chapters of activities found in this guide.
3. Name one of NASA's four goals for aerospace technology.
4. True or False: NASA wants to reduce the aircraft accident rate over the next 25 years.

Collect exit tickets as students finish.

If Time Remains

Ask students to look again at the three chapter titles (Air, Flight, We Can Fly, You and I) and, working with a partner, brainstorm and write down one guess for an activity name that might appear in each chapter, based only on the chapter title. Have a few pairs share their guesses aloud, then reveal a few actual activity titles from the Table of Contents (e.g., "Air Engines," "Sled Kite," "Where is North? The Compass Can Tell Us") for comparison.