Fact Sheet
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Aeronautics
Glide Slope
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Control
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Back to Teacher Overview Outline
Classroom Activity
Session 1
- Show videotape footage of
the space shuttle (orbiter) landing using Real Player. Discuss with the students the path
the orbiter flies during descent along with an explanation as
to why it flies such a descent route. Point out the different
motions the orbiter uses as it descends to land. (See Student Information Reading: Orbiter Control)
- Using a model of the orbiter demonstrate and review the 3 motions
of an airplane (glider): roll, pitch, yaw. (See overhead transparencies
of "Axes and Orbiter Motions".) At this
point, the teacher can choose to introduce control surfaces providing
for or reviewing with the students what they are, what motions
they affect, and how they work OR merely point out on the glider
model that there appears to be some hinged surfaces on the model.
If taking the latter approach, then query the students as for
what each of the hinged surfaces might be used.
- Pose and discuss the questions below:
| 1. |
What are the 3 basic motions of an airplane? |
| 2. |
Can you describe each motion or demonstrate how each motion
moves? |
| 3. |
How does the commander and pilot of the orbiter control
these moves? |
| 4. |
Where on the orbiter are these control surfaces located? |
| 5. |
What motion does each control surface control? |
| 6. |
How can we find out answers to some of these questions? |
- Lead the students towards defining an experiment which would
use the glider model to test or demonstrate the control surfaces
of the orbiter. The experiment should include manipulating the
hinged surfaces, flying the glider, observing its flight motion
and recording their observations. Have students in small groups
or pairs develop a set of procedures for such an experiment (or
simply review the procedure and template already provided).
- Have students record their set of procedures on chart paper,
post and present their steps to the class. From the different
sets of procedures have the class develop one definitive procedure
list detailing how each team will perform the experiment. Report
the final set of procedures on chart paper and post.
Session 2
- Review the motions of roll, pitch and yaw using the overhead transparencies, videotape footage,
and orbiter glider.
- Review the posted set of procedures for the class to follow
for the experiment.
- Distribute
- Have students assemble space shuttle gliders.
- Review safety considerations.
- Allow 30 minutes for experiment.
- Have teams or partners meet in small groups of 4 -6 students
and consolidate findings using the Experiment
Conclusion Report. Have them then transfer the information
from that sheet onto a larger sheet of chart or butcher paper
for posting.
- Collect and post for the next session's discussion.
Session 3
- Review and discuss each group's Experiment
Conclusion Report that was posted from the previous assignment.
- If any disagreement results from the posted information, clarify
by having you or a student re-test the glider with the disputed
control surface/motion in each position, and flying it in front
of the class.
- Distribute the Descent Control assessment
and have students using the posted information, answer each question.
- Collect the Descent Control for evaluation.
- Review the answer
key for Descent Control for wrap-up.
- Have students complete their Self-Evaluation
Check-Up regarding their work on the activity.
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