Related subject area: science, geography

Overall problem: Which activities (if any) should be restricted around the coral reefs of
Kailua Bay to insure their lasting protection?

Relationship of problem in this lesson to overall problem: The problem in this lesson is for students to generate important questions to be considered when choosing the best aircraft for a mission. While developing this list of questions the students will participate in a series of activities to learn about the forces of flight and factors that may affect the success of the mission such as weather conditions, the remote sensing instrument requirements, and flight planning. 

Estimated time required: 5 to 6 class periods

Student outcomes/objectives:

• Students will develop a list of important questions that need to be answered when choosing the appropriate aircraft for an airborne remote sensing mission.
• Students will describe how four forces (lift, drag, weight, and thrust) affect flight.
• Students will describe the relationship among aircraft characteristics, remote sensing instrumentation characteristics, and mission planning requirements. 
• Students will identify weather and atmospheric conditions as one factor that needs to be considered during mission planning.
• Students will identify the elements of a flight plan.

Prerequisite skills or knowledge:

• Ability to work in teams
• Basic internet skills
• Basic reading and writing skills
• Basic understanding of problem solving
• Basic presentation preparation skills

Teacher preparation:

• Print Student Journal / Activity sheets for these activities
• Bookmark appropriate websites for students
  

Student reflection and assessment: Student reflection activities  |  Assessment

Education standards supported by this lesson:   

National Science Education Standards | Project 2061 Benchmarks

National Standards for School Mathematics | National Technology Standards | National Geography Standards

Cross-curricular connections to National Education Standards for this lesson:

math | technology | geography

FRAME the lesson.

Ask what is the overall problem that we are addressing?

Ask what types of questions do you have about planning an airborne remote sensing mission to investigate this problem? (prompt for where, how, types of instruments, types of aircraft, etc.)

Explain that we have received a message from the head of airborne mission planning asking for your help as airborne mission scientists to select the appropriate aircraft for this mission.

Prompt students to read the
Mission planning letter (AW-1). 

Ask do you have any questions about our goal?

Sample student responses:

• What airplane can I use?

• Where are the coral reefs in Kailua Bay?
• Where is Kailua Bay located?
• What airplane do I use?
• How do I locate the coral reefs in Kailua Bay?

Student activity:

Students read Mission planning letter (AW-1)