The Coronavirus (COVID-19) may have interrupted our work patterns and rhythms, but it has not dampened our curiosity, our love of learning, or our enjoyment of Aviation/Space Education as it relates to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math!
Current health concerns and precautions have required many employees to telework from home. At the same time, kids are home from school, as schools are closed across the state to avoid and contain the spread of the virus. The days can get long and children can get restless. Not to fear! The STEM-AVSED team at the FAA and Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center have created numerous activities that can be accomplished with our youth to teach them about Aviation and Space!
Additionally, with so many schools across the country closing, Embry Riddle University has ramped up on free online courses on a variety of topics ranging from aeronautics and meteorology, to computer applications, history and more. Several no-cost options are available for the general public. "We want to help children keep learning while they are out of school," said Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D. "Our faculty members have developed online courses that introduce core concepts and offer enrichment activities to help spark young people’s interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). We are happy to provide quality content that gives students of all ages the opportunity to master new skills that will serve them well now and in the future." Visit Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to see some class offerings.
Below you will find a host of different STEM AVSED activities useful for teaching kids about the wonders and science of flight. From games and crafts to videos, and even software, an abundance of STEM AVSED activities lie at your fingertips! Activities below are categorized by elementary school and middle school ages and also include fun for everyone. It’s time for STEM AVSED fun to take flight!
Here’s a fun craft to make a windmill with a pencil, a piece of paper, and a straight pin!
Make-A-Windmill Craft
Coloring page! The Piper Cub is a very popular two-passenger tail-dragger airplane. What is a tail-dragger? Click to find out!
Color a Piper Cub
BINGO! Play this fun variation of Bingo using Aviation terms and themes.
Aviation Bingo
Help this pilot get from the airport to his aircraft through a twisty, winding maze!
Pilot Picture Maze
Which is stronger, you or air? Discover how air can be stronger than a person with this nifty science trick!
You-Or-Air Science Trick
Learn how surface area slows falling objects with this fun parachute craft!
Make A Parachute Craft
Sector 33 App: Welcome to Sector 33! – A new air traffic control game for iOS and Android mobile devices.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an Air Traffic Controller? Imagine it’s a stormy Friday in Northern California as the evening rush of air traffic fast approaches the San Francisco Bay Area from the East. All flights going to San Francisco airport pass through "Sector 33" – your sector of airspace. As the lead air traffic controller, your job is to guide the planes safely through Sector 33 as quickly as possible. To do this, you must choose the most efficient route and make strategic speed changes. Can you handle Sector 33?
Visit the Sector 33 Website by NASA today!
Build a homemade hovercraft!
DIY Hovercraft
Feeling lost? Make your own compass and find direction again!
Compass Instructions
Love trivia? Even better, love aviation trivia? Download these aviation trivia and fact sheets!
Aviation Trivia
Aviation Fascinating Facts
Does Air take up space? Find out with this experiment!
Air Experiment
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum with a Google Virtual Tour! Download the iOS or Android app by visiting the Google Arts and Culture website.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Virtual Tour
For additional resources, visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum website:
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Boldly launch into the universe of STEM AVSED with these great resources from NASA!
Build and launch a rocket with paper, tape, and a soda straw!
Make a Straw Rocket
Learn about the training and practice that goes into a spacewalk!
STEMonstrations Video: Spacewalk
See how a fidget spinner reacts to being in space!
Fidget Spinner
We hope that you choose to take advantage of the many STEM AVSED learning opportunities presented here and throughout the STEM AVSED learning community.
