|
Wright
Brothers' Invention Process
|
(1901 - 1902)
- Tested Theories
The early kite
and glider
experiments did not meet the performance goals which the brothers calculated before
the flights. In late 1901, the brothers began to doubt the data which they were
using to design their aircraft. They built a
wind
tunnel and developed model-testing
techniques
including a
balance
to more accurately determine the lift and drag of their aircraft.
They tested
over two hundred different wings and airfoil
models
to improve the performance of their gliders. Their very
successful 1902
aircraft was based on their new data.
Today, NASA engineers at Ames, Langley, and
Glenn Research Centers use sophisticated models and wind tunnels
to study a variety of problems associated with modern aircraft design.
These tunnels and test techniques are only modern improvements on
the original work done by the Wright Brothers.
You can use a computer simulator
of the Wright tunnel to find out how it
works.
| Legend
of Related Programs:: |
W |
Website |
| L |
Lesson
Plans/Materials |
| A |
Activity |
| V |
Webcasts/Video |
| C |
CD-ROM |
| S |
Simulation |
| Program |
Description |
Grade |
W |
L |
A |
V |
C |
S |
| Central
Operations of Resources for Education (CORE) |
CORE
is the world-wide distribution center of NASA-produced,
educational, multimedia materials. The public has access
to over 200 videocassettes, slides, and CD-ROMs chronicling
NASA's state-of-the-art research and technology. |
K-16 |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
| Curveball |
Students
learn about the principles of aerodynamics by controlling
the conditions of a big league baseball pitch. |
9-12 |
x |
|
|
|
x |
x |
| Foil
Sim II |
This
software fosters hands-on inquiry-based learning by computing
the theoretical lift of a variety of airfoil shapes. The
user can control the shapes, size, and inclination of
a wing, and test their decisions in a simulated wind tunnel.
|
9-12 |
x |
|
|
|
x |
x |
| Mobile
Aeronautics Education Laboratory (MAEL) |
The
mobile state-of-the-art Aeronautics Education Laboratory
brings new technologies to partnership cities to excite
students about science and math. Visitors can experience
10 hands-on workstations that model real world aviation
chK-16enges like weather forecasting, flight design, airfoil
design, and flight controls. |
K-12 |
|
x |
|
|
|
x |
| NASA
Connect |
NASA
Connect is an award winning series of instructional television
programs that are proven to capture the imagination of
elementary and middle school students. This program establishes
connections between NASA research and math, science, aeronautics,
and technology content taught in the classroom. |
5-8 |
x |
|
x |
x |
|
|
| The
Wright Way |
Learn
about the development of the first manned, powered flight
from its conception through research and experimentation,
to success and beyond. This website features facts, lesson
plans, simulations, activities, and contains information
on how to participate in the Centennial of Flight Celebration.
|
K-12 |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
x |
|
Site Map and Links to Wright Brothers Information
|
