Learning fluid dynamics and the principles of flight: from primary school to STEM degrees

Abstract

This article covers fluid dynamics and principles of flight. This complex topic and the related theory are typically taught in the second and third years of aerospace engineering degrees, but the present work adapts it to three different levels of learning: primary school, secondary school and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees. Here we divide the topic into three sections, each one representing a project that can be developed in class. Depending on the student’s level, we propose to develop project 1 (primary school), project 2 (secondary school) or project 3 (STEM degree). The main goal of the article is twofold: (i) to increase students’ motivation from primary to university levels in the topics of mathematics and physics, showing students that the theoretical concepts that they learn in class can be applied to solve real-life problems, and (ii) to introduce original ideas for teachers to develop extracurricular activities in class, also with the aim of motivating students. Projects 1 and 3 have been carried out in class and results show that after performing these activities, students have acquired new complex knowledge and at the same time their motivation in scientific subjects has increased. Project-based learning and learning by playing are the two main methodologies of the activities presented in this article. The present work follows the spirit of ‘The Enigma of Aerodynamic Lift’ (an article recently published in Scientific American 322, 2020), and can be considered as an original extension with new material suitable for the teacher to be used in class.