Session 9

Session 9 at Piedmont IB Middle in Charlotte NC.

The primary focus of session 9 was to get some planes in the air. Being that Discovery Place has no good place to fly an airplane, Piedmont will be the location for the remainder of the class sessions. We had 3 planes ready to take out for flight testing by the middle of class during this session. At the

last minute one of the 3 planes had a technical issue that would postpone its flight until the final session, session 10.
 

 

A number of parents showed up to witness the flights, though we were only able to test fly 2 planes. Due to technical issues neither plane flew particularly well. The prime issue was that the instructor, me, installed 2 of the propellers incorrectly. After a brief e-mail correspondence with the Brooklyn Aerodrome this issue came to light. During the weekend the propeller installations were tested in the EMS Lab. Having the propeller facing the correct way produces 100% more thrust than having it installed incorrectly. It was most certainly an embarrassing mistake on my part but one I will never forget. The greatest part about science or trying and doing is that we often learn far more from our failures than from our successes. That same thinking is a driving force for this program. These planes are not perfect but they are the work of each student. Each plane will work as the student constructed it.

Due to challenges faced in session 9 we had a some disappointed and disheartened students. I am also sure we had some concerned parents and teachers. This tension weighed heavy on me as the session came to a close. I went home that evening and told my wife about the challenges of the day. In her wisdom she explained to me how the frustration I saw was a good thing. Those strong feelings are because the students are invested in and really care about what they are doing. If they were apathetic about the challenges then I should worry. That opened my eyes to how much these students love the learning and process they are experiencing in this program.

 

 

The next session, session 10, will be the final session. We will put flight decks on each plane and try to get each student in the air and flying. Some of the flights may be brief but each plane will get into the air. At the end of the session each student will take home their airframes as a reminder of their work. A parts list will also be supplied that gives students the opportunity to reproduce the flight and control deck on their own time. The cost for all of the materials to do this comes to around $160. I hope that those who have the resources available might take this next step of exploration. For those who do not have the resources, I hope this program has opened new windows of possibilities and dreams for their future.