Feb
10

How things fly

What makes an airplane fly? How does a spacecraft stay in orbit? Why does a balloon float in the air? These and many other questions are answered at the How Things Fly website, a companion to the physical exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum about the basic principles of flight. In this interactive online exhibition, visitors can explore the flight environment, aerodynamics, propulsion, structures and materials, flight dynamics and see the forces of flight in action.

“The How Things Fly website is based on the museum’s most popular hands-on exhibition,” said gallery manager Michael Hulslander. “By integrating animations, videos, games and social media we hope users will learn complex aeronautical concepts in a way that is fun and engaging.”

The website is the museum’s first interactive offering specifically geared toward students. Some of the key features are:

  • Interactive animations that engage students in exploring the forces of flight;
  • Short educational videos explaining complex ideas of flight such as Bernoulli’s principle, how propellers work and supersonic flight;
  • Downloadable hands-on activities that can be used in the classroom or at home;
  • Fun facts and quiz questions.

The website also includes educational and social activities that allow users to interact with their friends via email, Facebook or Twitter:

  • Forces of Flight—build a plane and learn about the forces of flight;
  • How Wings Work—examine the evidence and identify the correct angle of attack to generate the greatest amount of lift;
  • Controlled Flight—explore the control surfaces of three different types of airplanes—Cessna, WWII fighter or aerobatic plane—and pilot them through an obstacle courses;
  • Create a Paper Airplane—design a paper airplane that users can print, fly and share with friends online;
  • Join the Distance Challenge—fly a virtual paper airplane to friends around the world and with their help, see how far it can travel;
  • Ask an Explainer—submit a tough physics questions to one of the How Things Fly gallery’s high school-and college-age staff and receive answers.

Related posts:

Mark Wallace headshotOffice of Protection Services has a new director Black and white photo of elderly Septima Clark in profileThe Power of Portraits picnickers sleeping and lounging on the grass(UPDATE) The 2022 Staff Picnic is ON for Oct. 6 Golden cup and crownICYMI: Highlights from the week that was Sept. 9 – Sept. Sept. 15, 2018

Posted: 10 February 2012
About the Author:

Isabel Lara does media outreach for the Communications Office at the National Air and Space Museum. She enjoys dealing with the diverse requests the museum receives every day—from inquiries about ice on Mars and impact basins on Mercury, to satellites, spacesuits, airmail, famous aviators and even Hollywood movies.