Digital Collections

Check out model airplanes:

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/

This Web site is aimed at buyers but the pictures of model airplanes are great and can be used to inspire your students' creations.

http://www.novagate.com/~jmartin/hobbie.htm

A great pastime for anyone with eyes and thumbs is building and flying radio controlled model aircraft. Big Jim flies Airplanes, Gliders, and Helicopters. Big Jim belongs to a club called Grand Valley Radio Control and they have one of the premier glider groups in the Midwest. If you would like to know more about this unique way to spend time and money then read on. Big Jim has included some links to other model aviation sites as well as information on the aircraft that he owns and flies. There are photos, and even a section with some answers to questions that he made up himself.

http://www.greatplanes.com/airplanes/

View model planes classified by skill level and category of interest. Photos, descriptions and specifications are provided. This Web site is directed at buyers, but can be used as inspiration.

http://www-expressnet.lycos.com/wguide/
wire/wire_433096_2845_0_5.html

Links to Web sites on model planes.

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/skimmer.htm

Description and photo provided.

http://www.ul.bawue.de/IN/people/dox/solair/
EHome.htm

Information and photos on a solar-powered plane. Included are project layout, weight optimization, propulsion, materials, and technical data.

Note: Gather information on Electricity or battery-operated planes as well as the use of Pneumatics

1. Learn about the different types of models available on the market.
2. Design their own airplane.
3. Construct their airplane.
4. Learn about different sources of power for planes.
5. Write in their daily log. -

1. Identify features of planes student would like to incorporate in their own design of a plane.
2. List different types of model airplanes. (radio controlled, paper airplane, pneumatics)
3. List what must be considered before designing a plane. (i.e., knowledge of air, principle of flight)
4. Brainstorm questions they have about the designs and list possible solutions.
5. Create three different designs and sketch these designs on the Design Report Idea Sheet.
6. Build the design (this may take several days).
7. Fill in Design Report as you work
8. Discuss and experiment with different power sources.
9. Discuss cost and environmental issues of the models because of the chosen source of power.