Visit Your Local PBS Station PBS Home PBS Home Programs A-Z TV Schedules Watch Video Support PBS Shop PBS Search PBS
SAF Archives search ask the scientists in the classroom cool science
past teaching guides
interactive activities
cool careers in science
in the classroom
TEACHING GUIDES


"Flying High" Guide & Resources

In "Flying High" Scientific American Frontiers takes to the air for an unusual look at aviation, from the evolution of flight in primitive insects to the latest in high-tech aircraft. "Flying High" features five individual stories.

Here are the topics and running times of stories on this show and a brief description of related activities you'll find in this online teaching guide:

  • The Eternal Wing (running time: 11:23) - Powered by the sun, the Pathfinder experimental aircraft soars to new heights. Activities include: testing lift with a paper glider; racing simple gliders in competition; building a cambered wing.

  • Taking to the Air (running time: 7:55) - A Penn State biologist may have the answer to an evolutionary riddle about the origins of insect flight. Activities include: modeling early wings on primitive insects; quantifying surface tension.

  • Cockpit Confusion (running time: 11:14) - See how computerized airplane controls introduce new challenges to pilots. Activities include: assessing design; finding out more about flight; calculating rate of climb.

  • Bird Man (running time: 9:31) - Pilot-biologist Ken Dial takes to the air and the lab to find out the inside story of bird flight. Activities include: capturing the flight of model birds on video; aviation lessons from the birds.

  • Roboflyers (running time: 12:50) - College students race their flying robots at the Aerial Robotics Competition. The activities challenge you to build and race your own lighter-than-air vehicles.

  • Viewer Challenge -- After you watch "Flying High," test your viewing skills with ten questions about the show!





 

Scientific American Frontiers
Fall 1990 to Spring 2000
Sponsored by GTE Corporation,
now a part of Verizon Communications Inc.