Lesson 4: Wing Geometry
Duration of Days: 5.5
Lesson Objective
Students will analyze how wing shape (Aspect Ratio) affects drag and flight duration
1. Why do gliders have long, skinny wings while fighter jets have short, stubby ones?
2. What is "Induced Drag"?
Aspect Ratio, Chord, Span, Induced Drag, Glide Ratio.
ENG.02.04: Create sketches and/or drawings of a design.
Students build two different sets of wings for the same fuselage: one long/narrow (High Aspect) and one short/wide (Low Aspect). They compare flight times.
Purpose: To optimize design based on a specific goal (Duration vs. Distance).
DOK Level: Level 4 (Extended Thinking).
Provide a "Wing Calculator" spreadsheet where students input measurements and it automatically calculates the Aspect Ratio.
Assessment: A comparative graph showing "Time in Air" vs. "Wing Area."
Materials: Extra foam sheets, rubber bands.