Challenge Overview
Students step into the role of engineers for A+ Airways, a struggling airline to respond to their Request for Proposals (RFP).
Working in small teams, students research different types of aircraft, build foam gliders, and test wing configurations.
Students practice data collection by collecting data over multiple trials, calculate averages, and create a bar graph to compare wing performance. By the end of this challenge, each team has a real dataset and data-backed conclusions that informs their design work later in the semester.
For Teachers
Teacher Facilitation Guide: The teacher facilitation guide of “Flight of Fancy” that lists the standards, learning goals, and five activities.
Planning Guide: The planning guide provides an overview of each activity, along with information on standards alignment, pacing, and materials needed.
Handouts and Materials:
- Student Handout 1 – A+ Airways Interior Design RFP
- Student Handout 2 – Aircraft Market Research
- Student Handout 3 – Wing Configuration Reference Sheet
- Student Handout 4 – Establishing Testing Procedure
- Student Handout 5 – Glider Flight Data Collection Sheet
- Student Handout 6 – Class Flight Data Analysis
- NASA Glider Template
- .Zip File of all Student Handouts for the Flight of Fancy Data Challenge
