Aerospace Convention

Student Handout

Content Area: Language Arts
Grade(s): 4, 5

Rationale

Invitation
How does a teacher help students explore scientific developments and technological innovations in the business world while integrating design technology and word processing? This unit guides fourth grade students to create their own designs for aircraft and to form their own aeronautics companies. They have the opportunity to use word processing to create business cards, write letters and design posters.


Tools
Computers, printer, word processing software; Template: Business Card; reference CDs, Internet, glue, exacto knives, calculators, scissors, balsa wood, paint

Learning Environment

Situations
The students work in the classroom. The class takes field trips to the following places: University of Texas, Tracor, Austin City Parking Lot. They invite parents and the community to the aerospace convention held at the school. The unit requires four weeks to complete.

Interactions
The students work collaboratively to make company decisions, design and modify their airplane designs, and create charts and graphs. The teacher models some word processing and drawing tool skills. She conferences with students and provides editing help as needed.

Unit Description

Standards (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills)
The students generate, organize, connect, and express ideas in a variety of ways. The students participate in small group and class decisions, and resolve conflicts with peers. The students communicate orally and in writing, and use visuals. The students communicate scientific concepts orally, in writing and through illustrations, projects, models, tables, and graphs.

Tasks
The students decide on the purpose of their companies, and decide in which zoning areas to build. They collaborate with Tracor engineers, and research different types of airplanes. They form aeronautic companies, name the companies, elect company officers, create company logos and business cards, and work within a budget. The class takes a field trip to Tracor. As a culminating activity, the students host an aerospace convention.

Assessment
The students self assess and reflect on the unit using the following debriefing questions:
1) How did your team members come up with your company name? 2) How did you elect your company officers? 3) What did you learn from the overall project? 4) Did your team have any problems working together? What were they and how did you solve them? 5) What made you decide on the zoning area you chose? 6) Did you have to make any modifications in your designs? What were they? 7) Would you recommend this project to other students? Why or why not?