Aviation museums host websites full of wonderful photos and information:
- Evergreen Aviation Museum: http://www.sprucegoose.org/aircraft_artifacts/planes_ccb.html#commercial
- The American Helicopter Museum: www.helicoptermuseum.org/Aircraft.asp
- The Flying Leatherneck Museum: www.flyingleathernecks.org/gallery.html
- The Cradle of Aviation Museum: http://www.cradleofaviation.org/education/index.html (This museum has two “Aerospace Quest” files full of research questions for older and younger students. Although designed for students visiting the museum, it can easily be adapted for home use.)
- Go to this website to find an aviation museum near you or near a location where you’ll be traveling soon: http://aeroweb.brooklyn.cuny.edu/museums/museums.htm
Additional Activity Resources:
- The “To fly is everything” website is one of the most comprehensive sites on aviation history. It even includes a timeline of specific patents! http://invention.psychology.msstate.edu/air_main.shtml
- Order the Science of Flight 4-H Project Book: www.ag.ohiostate.edu/~flight/projectbook.html
- Download two activity units to enrich your family’s study of the science and history of flight. Check out www.deepspringspress.com/ssonewsletter.pdf and http://www.treaureboxpres.com/TOSFlightActivities.pdf.
- A thorough listing of aviation-related biographies can be found at this address: www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/pioneers.html
- Discovery Channel® has some excellent information, including an interactive flight simulation of the Wright Brothers’ flight, at this address: http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/wright/flights/flights.html
- Check out the M400 Skycar at this address: www.moller.com/skycar.htm
- Visit www.deepspringspress.com/TOSFlightActivities.pdf to download more kite activities.
- The book Gizmos & Gadgets by Jill Frankel Hauser is an excellent source of information about Newton’s laws of motion. • Try making balloon rockets to gain an understanding of how Newton’s third law applies to flight. The following website has photos and instructions: www.islandnet.com/~yesmag/projects/balloon_rockets.html.
- Check out this site for colorful balloon ideas: www.balloonfiesta.com/.
- The Hargrave Australian Aviation History site has an extensive list of aviation pioneers and biographical information: www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/pioneers.html
Published on January 28, 2009
Michelle and her husband Rick have been homeschooling for ten years and are the owners of Treasure Box Press (http://www.treaureboxpress.com/). Michelle, who holds a master’s degree in child development and family relations, is the Marketing Manager at TOS. She also serves as the Judge Advisor for the North Carolina FIRST Lego League. Rick serves as a head coach for FIRST Robotics Team 1533 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Michelle coaches a Jr. FIRST Lego league team and serves as Outreach Coach for FIRST Robotics team 1533.
Copyright 2008 The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC
www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2008 issue of The Old SchoolhouseMagazine, LLC
Reprinted with permission from the publisher.
