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Aviation is a fun, exciting, and stimulating subject, making the EAA Aviation Museum an ideal environment for learning!
Hands-on activities are intended for a range of student ages and group sizes. They are taught by a staff of professional educators using engaging teaching methods dedicated to fundamental learning objectives.
Customize your experience by choosing an interactive, hands-on activity. Then choose between a self-guided or guided tour for your group. One chaperone or teacher is required for every eight children or students.
Scholarship Opportunity
To help make field trips more affordable, the EAA Aviation Foundation, with support from EAA donors, has established a scholarship program for Title I schools. EAA will cover the cost of bussing for schools that qualify as a school-wide Title I school and assist with programming costs. There are limited funds available, therefore assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
K-5 How far can you launch your rocket? Students will create a simple rocket from a straw that launches by squeezing a bottle. While gathering data from various tests students will build on their understanding of forces and learn about the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on rockets.$4/student
How far can you launch your rocket? Students will create a simple rocket from a straw that launches by squeezing a bottle. While gathering data from various tests students will build on their understanding of forces and learn about the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on rockets.
Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of a rocket (NGSS 3-PS2-1).
Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a rocket that converts energy from one form to another (NGSS 4-PS3-4).
Paper Pilots
K-12 Can you design a record breaking paper airplane? Students will use the engineering process to build, test, and modify paper airplanes while asking questions and making observations about forces and how they make flight possible.$4/student
Can you design a record breaking paper airplane? Students will use the engineering process to build, test, and modify paper airplanes while asking questions and making observations about forces and how they make flight possible.
Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of a paper airplane (NGSS 3-PS2-1).
Plan and conduct an investigation into flight to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls from air on the motion of an object (NGSS K-PS2-1).
Wind Tunnels
K-12 Explore the mysteries of flight by creating a device to hover in a wind tunnel. While asking questions and making observations about air, students will learn about forces and how they make flight possible.$6/student
Explore the mysteries of flight by creating a device to hover in a wind tunnel. While asking questions and making observations about air, students will learn about forces and how they make flight possible.
Plan and conduct an investigation in a wind tunnel to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls from air on the motion of an object (NGSS K-PS2-1).
Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object in a wind tunnel (NGSS 3-PS2-1).
X-Planes
K-12 Can you design an experimental aircraft? Students will use pre-cut pieces to build their own X-wing aircraft to take home. Then as part of the engineering process, students will test their designs and learn to make simple modifications.$6/student
Can you design an experimental aircraft? Students will use pre-cut pieces to build their own X-wing aircraft to take home. Then as part of the engineering process, students will test their designs and learn to make simple modifications.
Plan and conduct an investigation into flight to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls from air on the motion of an object (NGSS K-PS2-1).
Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an x-wing aircraft (NGSS 3-PS2-1).
Air Compressed Rockets
3-12 Can you launch a rocket with air? Students will investigate the science of rocketry by creating a simple rocket from a bottle and compressed air. Students will use the engineering process to build, test, and modify rockets made of bottles.$6/student
Can you launch a rocket with air? Students will investigate the science of rocketry by creating a simple rocket from a bottle and compressed air. Students will use the engineering process to build, test, and modify rockets made of bottles.
Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of a rocket (NGSS 3-PS2-1).
Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another (NGSS 4-PS-3-4).
Ground School
3-12 Learn the basics of aviation by flying a course on a computer flight simulator. While navigating simulator controls, students will learn about careers in aviation and the basic parts of an airplane.$4/student
Learn the basics of aviation by flying a course on a computer flight simulator. While navigating simulator controls, students will learn about careers in aviation and the basic parts of an airplane.
Demonstrate openness to exploring a wide range of occupations and career pathways (WCCTS CD3.b.3.m).
Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an airplane (NGSS 3-PS2-1).
Operation ATC
3-12 The air traffic control tower has lost its radar. Can you repair the equipment and help the pilot safely land? Introduce students to careers in aviation through this interactive puzzle game. Students will unlock each step in the puzzle as they learn to use the phonetic alphabet or Morse code, read maps and instrument panels, and complete a broken circuit.$4/student
Identify purposes of aeronautical charts and interpret patterns within them to solve real-world problems (WI Social Studies Standard Geog1.b).
Identify purposes of aeronautical charts and interpret patterns within them to solve real-world problems (WI Social Studies Standard Geog1.b).
Analyze how pilots communicate and the different forms of communication involved in aviation (WI Technology and Engineering Standard ICT1.a).
Work with a group to complete the task while including all members of the team (WCCTS LE1.b).
Demonstrate openness to exploring a wide range of occupations and career pathways (WCCTS CD3.b.3.m).
Space Coding
3-12 Have you ever dreamt of exploring the galaxy while learning to code? Students will use Sphero robots as their spacecraft and navigate through the solar system. They will encounter various challenges, from dodging asteroids to landing on distant planets. Through this hands-on experience, students will learn fundamental coding concepts while honing problem-solving skills.$4/student
Have you ever dreamt of exploring the galaxy while learning to code? Students will use Sphero robots as their spacecraft and navigate through the solar system. They will encounter various challenges, from dodging asteroids to landing on distant planets. Through this hands-on experience, students will learn fundamental coding concepts while honing problem-solving skills.
Program and test an autonomous robot (WI Technology and Engineering Standard EL6.a.3.h).
Apply communication and information technology to the various elements of a problem (WCCTS IMT3.b.4.m)
Demonstrate openness to exploring a wide range of occupations and career pathways (WCCTS CD3.b.3.m).
3D Printing
6-12 What is 3D printing used for? Find out more about the uses, types, and how to create 3D printed objects through this program! Students will get to design their own 3D object in Tinkercad and print it on one of our onsite 3D printers. $10/student
Modeling, testing, evaluating and modifying are used to transform ideas into practical solutions (WI Technology and Engineering Standard ENG2.b.3.m).
Recognize that engineering design is influenced by personal characteristics, such as creativity (WI Technology and Engineering Standard ENG2.a.7.h).
Demonstrate openness to exploring a wide range of occupations and career pathways (WCCTS CD3.b.3.m).
Accident Investigation
6-12 How does the National Transportation and Safety Board figure out what happened after an aircraft accident? Find out about the roles within the NTSB Go Team and work within your own team to unravel the mystery of what caused an aircraft accident. $4/student
How does the National Transportation and Safety Board figure out what happened after an aircraft accident? Find out about the roles within the NTSB Go Team and work within your own team to unravel the mystery of what caused an aircraft accident.
Work with a group to complete the task while including all members of the team (WCCTS LE1.b).
Participate in a group discussion to generate a consensus (WCCTS 4C3.b.12.h).
Demonstrate openness to exploring a wide range of occupations and career pathways (WCCTS CD3.b.3.m).
Aircraft Engine Anatomy
6-12 How does an airplane engine work? Introduce students to careers in aviation maintenance through this hands-on experience. Students will learn about aircraft engines by taking apart a small engine and putting it back together. $4/student
Follow safe procedures when using tools and equipment related to power and energy systems (WI Technology and Engineering Standard PE1.b.7.m)
Assess how power systems must have a source of energy, a process and loads. (WI Technology and Engineering Standard PE1.a.15.h).
Demonstrate openness to exploring a wide range of occupations and career pathways (WCCTS CD3.b.3.m).
Airfoil Design
6-12 How do wings create lift? Through this activity, students will build different airfoil designs. They will then make predictions and test the airfoil in a wind tunnel observing lift and stalls. $6/student
How do wings create lift? Through this activity, students will build different airfoil designs. They will then make predications and test the airfoil in a wind tunnel observing lift and stalls.
Apply science and engineering ideas to design, evaluate, and refine a wing that minimizes the force of drag and maximizes the force of lift on an airfoil during flight (NGSS HS-PS2-3).
Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces acting on the object (NGSS MS-PS2-2).
Aviation Assembly
6-12 Can you assemble an airplane? Students will move through various stations as they explore the different processes needed to assemble an airplane such as riveting and soldering. $15/student
Can you assemble an airplane? Students will move through various stations as they explore the different processes needs to assemble an airplane such as riveting and soldering.
Identify the common processes and materials used to construct and airframe structure (WI Technology and Engineering Standard AC1.g.6.m).
Perform basic soldering techniques (WI Technology and Engineering Standard EL3.a.6.h).
Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to learn new knowledge and skills (WCCTS CD4.a.4.m).
Beginning Avionics
6-12 How do circuits work? Introduce students to careers in avionics through electricity. Students will learn about conductors and insulators, capacitors, transistors, and so much more while completing simple circuits for aircraft sensors. $4/student
Construct a basic circuit using electronic components (i.e. resistors, diodes, switches, batteries, etc.) (WI Technology and Engineering Standard EL2.a.8.h).
Construct a basic circuit using a solder-less breadboard (WI Technology and Engineering Standard EL2.a.7.m).
Program a microcontroller for aviation applications (WI Technology and Engineering Standard EL6.a).
Demonstrate openness to exploring a wide range of occupations and career pathways (WCCTS CD3.b.3.m).
Composites
6-12 Composites are all around you! Come explore what composites are, what they are used for, why they are important to aviation, and try your hand at building your own composite wing rib. $10/student
Identify materials have different qualities and may be classified as natural, synthetic or mixed and their effects on our world (WI Technology and Engineering Standard MNF1.f.9.h).
Use appropriate tools safely (WI Technology and Engineering Standard AC1.c).
Demonstrate openness to exploring a wide range of occupations and career pathways (WCCTS CD3.b.3.m).
Flight Planning
6-12 How do pilots know where to go and how much fuel they need on board to make it to their destination? Learn all about flight planning during this program and test out your plan on the flight simulators! $4/student
Interpret patterns within aeronautical charts (WI Social Studies Standard Geog1.b.m).
Use aeronautical charts to ask and answer questions about flight planning to understand real-world problems (WI Social Studies Standard Geog1.a.m).
Demonstrate openness to exploring a wide range of occupations and career pathways (WCCTS CD3.b.3.m).
Parachute Engineering
6-12 Can you land your parachutist safely? Students will learn the four forces of flight and how the motion of a parachute changes based on the sum of the forces acting on it. They will use the engineering process to build, test, and modify their parachutes after dropping them from the museum mezzanine. $6/student
Can you land your parachutist safely? Students will learn the four forces of flight and how the motion of a parachute changes based on the sum of the forces acting on it. They will use the engineering process to build, test, and modify their parachutes after dropping them from the museum mezzanine.
Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in a parachute’s motion depends on the sum of the forces acting on the parachute (NGSS MS-PS2-2).
Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that gravity affects a parachute even though the objects are not in contact (NGSS MS-PS2-5).
Propeller Shaping
6-12 Have you ever wondered how propellers work? Using sandpaper and wooden blanks, students will explore aerodynamics as they shape their own propeller. Through experimentation and creativity, they’ll learn about lift, thrust, and the importance of propeller shapes in various aircraft. $4/student
Have you ever wondered how propellers work? Using sandpaper and wooden blanks, students will explore aerodynamics as they shape their own propeller. Through experimentation and creativity, they’ll learn about lift, thrust, and the importance of propeller shapes in various aircraft.
Use appropriate tools safely (WI Technology and Engineering Standard AC1.c).
Apply science and engineering ideas to design, evaluate, and refine a propeller that minimizes the force of drag and maximizes the force of thrust on an airfoil during flight (NGSS HS-PS2-3).
Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to learn new knowledge and skills (WCCTS CD4.a.4.m).
RC Airplane Build and Fly
6-12 Have you always wanted to fly an RC airplane but didn’t know where to start? Join us in building RC airplanes. Each student will be provided with a RC airplane kit to build. They will then be able to try their hand at flying their new aircraft using our class set of controllers and motors. Controllers and motors are sold separately in the gift shop for those wishing to continue flight at home. $15/student
A prototype is a working model used to test a design concept by making actual observations and necessary adjustments (WI Technology and Engineering Standard ENG2.b.4.h).
Use appropriate tools safely (WI Technology and Engineering Standard AC1.c).
Demonstrate openness to exploring a wide range of occupations and career pathways (WCCTS CD3.b.3.m).
Wooden Wing Rib Design
6-12 How are wings built? Students will explore aircraft fabrication by building a wooden wing rib. While constructing a basic wing structure, students will demonstrate basic measuring skills and learn about careers in aviation. $10/student
How are wings built? Students will explore aircraft fabrication by building a wooden wing rib. While constructing a basic wing structure, students will demonstrate basic measuring skills and learn about careers in aviation.
Use appropriate tools safely (WI Technology and Engineering Standard AC1.c).
Demonstrate basic measuring skills (e.g., length, width, thickness, etc.) in the planning and layout process (WI Technology and Engineering Standard BB1.b).
Demonstrate openness to exploring a wide range of occupations and career pathways (WCCTS CD3.b.3.m).
Drone Cargo Challenge
6-12 **Coming Soon**
Can you design a way to rescue a stranded person using only a drone and limited supplies? Through this activity, students will learn drone basics, drone careers, and use the engineering process to build, test, and modify a drone rescue attachment.$6/student
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