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Centennial of Flight:
Rediscovering the Challenges of Flight:

A Celebration of Flight

December Event Page

Contents of this page:

Related Links:

Educator Resources

Subject Sampler

the wright brothers glider and the shuttle lauching

Description

A Celebration of Flight:

Lt Col. Alexander Jefferson, Mr. Woodward
Tuskeegee Airmen Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson and Captain Edward Woodward

This December event celebrates the history of aviation. The Wright brothers were the first to achieve manned powered flight in December 1903. As we approach 2003, we begin to celebrate that we've been able to fly for almost 100 years! Distinguished African American aviators have made important contributions to the history of flight. NASA has a long history of contributions to airplane design research. Did you know that before NASA there was the National Advisory Committee for Aviation. Orville Wright was a member of that committee.
Have you ever thought about what life would be like without airplanes?

Preparation

Before the Web events

If you’ve never participated in a webcast or chat, review

During this Web event, you will learn about the Wright Brothers, NASA and how they have designed airplanes. You will actually get to interact with the Wright Brothers and NASA experts by posting your questions in the chat room!

Your goal is to identify problems the Wright Brothers faced and that NASA faces in designing an airplane and solutions to these problems.

Before participating in the online events, please review the bio(s) of the person(s) you will be talking to so that you can ask good questions and so that you don’t ask them any questions that they’ve already answered.

A Celebration of Flight:

Think of a few good questions to ask the experts. Go to Participation.
Click "Join" and post your questions in the chat room.

For the webcast about the history of airplane design:

Biographies
Jack Boyd

Background Materials
The History of NASA Ames Research

For the forum about life without airplanes:

Biographies
Donald Mendoza
Lorie Richardson
Andy Hahn
Donovan Mathias
Ken Schrock

Background materials
Aviation operations system
Aviation for little folks

For the Wright brothers chat:

Biographies
Craig Hange
Steve Shackelford

Background Materials
Wright Flyer Online background materials

For the Chat with Tom Benson:

Biographies
Tom Benson

Background Materials
A Kite Flying Webcast

For the Tuskegee Airmen webcast:

Biographies
Lt Col. Alexander Jefferson, Ret. USAF
Bob Jacobsen

Background Materials
The Tuskegee Airmen
Flying Through Time Video

For the Debbie Gallaway chat:

Biographies
Debbie Gallaway

Background Materials
Centennial of Flight Commission
A pdf file of the website

Participation

To participate in a webcast, chat or forum, click the "join" links below. If you can't attend the live
event, post your questions ahead of time, and come back later to check the archive.

Celebrating Flight: December Events
Date	Time	Activity Type	Grade Level	Description
Monday, 12/03/01 -Monday, 12/10/01	available through out the week	Forum	K-12	What would life be like with out airplanes? Ask questions of our experts Donald Mendoza, Lorie Richardson, Andy Hahn, Donovan Mathias, Ken Schrock. View the archive.
Tuesday, 12/04/01	10:00-11:00 PST 12:00-1:00 CST 1:00-2:00 EST	Webcast	K-12	A description of the evolution of the airplane design techniques used by NASA as described by Jack Boyd. View the archive. Read the transcript.
12/01	8:00-9:00 AM PST 10:00-11:00 AM CST 11:00 AM -12:00 PM EST	Webcast	3-5	Why? Files The Case of the"Wright Invention" More Information
Wednesday, 12/05/01	10:00-11:00 PM PST 11:00-12:00 PM CST 1:00-2:00 PM EST	Chat	K-12	Chat with Orville and Wilbur Wright about the process they used to design airplanes. View the archive.

Thursday,12/06/01	10:00-11:00 AM PST 12:00-1:00 PM CST 1:00-2:00 PM CST	Webcast	K-12	View the NASA Glenn Research Center's Kite Webcast archive. Chat with Tom Benson. View the archive.
Wednesday, 12/12/01	10:00-11:00 PST 12:00-1:00 CST 1:00-2:00 EST	Webcast	all	Hear Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson USAF (Ret.) a Tuskegee Airman discuss his experience and role in the history of flight. View the Archive Read the transcript
Thursday, 12/13/01	10:00-11:00 PST 12:00-1:00 CST 1:00-2:00 EST	Webcast	K-12	Debbie Gallaway will speak about the Centennial of Flight Commission and her personal experience flying the Wright brothers' 1901 glider. A pdf file of the Website. View the archive Read the transcript

a dispay at Aero Expo