Hands-on Activity Bird Flight Adaptations:
Inspiration for Aeronautical Engineering

Learning Objectives

After this activity, students should be able to:

• Distinguish between lift, thrust, drag and gravity.
• Describe how wings of different shapes support different patterns of flight.
• Explain how the study of bird flight can be extended to the field of aeronautical engineering.

Educational Standards

Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards.

All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN), a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org).

In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g., by state; within source by type; e.g., science or mathematics; within type by subtype, then by grade, etc.

Common Core State Standards - Math

International Technology and Engineering Educators Association - Technology

State Standards

Materials List

1. Each student needs a copy of the bird flight handout.
2. Each student needs access either to hard copies of the supporting articles or computer internet access.
3. The video preview is available online and can either be viewed at computers or projected onto a screen for classroom viewing. The full length video can be purchased at the link listed below.
4. It is visually helpful, although not essential, to have various bird feathers available with a dissecting microscope to allow students to see the structure of a feather.

Worksheets and Attachments

Introduction/Motivation

Birds have served as prototypes for various models of aeronautical design. The hummingbird is the archetype of the helicopter. Hummingbirds are capable of hovering in mid-flight and also of backward flight. Helicopters are an early example of biomimicry. Peregrine falcons are capable of steep dives that defy the gravitational forces that push the limit of fighter pilots and that are often responsible for fighter jets falling into a stall. How is a bird capable of surviving what has proved most challenging to the designers of these planes. What can be learned by studying these living models in order to strengthen the design of future planes and protect the lives of those who command them?

In this activity, we will investigate the physical nature of flight. How do birds become and remain airborne? Why do different species of birds have different types of flight patterns? Why are some species, such as hawks, able to hunt in midair? Can you explain why the flight of an owl is silent or a vulture can soar on the thermals of updrafts? Can an understanding of these unique adaptations lend direct application to the design of airplanes? Would it surprise you to know that our own military studies bird flight? Would you like to watch a comparison of birds to strategic fighter jet design?

Although students will not be using this information in the design process of your desert resort, it provides interesting information pertaining to the current use of biomimetics in the field of aviation. As an extension to your design process, you may use this information to create a means of transportation to and from the resort if you chose to; however, it will not be counted toward your final grade.

Procedure

Background

This activity introduces students to a direct application of biomimicry. It is driven by three sections. Students are first introduced to the physics behind bird flight and the various patterns of flight. They will distinguish between wing shapes, learn the structure of a feather, and understand how these features support different abilities among species. They will next be allowed to read, and it is helpful if the images can be viewed on a screen, several recent advancements made in aeronautical engineer following the examination of several different bird species. The final segment is the screening of "Raptor Force" video available for online viewing. There are breathtaking aerial footages of hawks and falcons performing amazing aerial acts that researchers are beginning to fully appreciate the supporting mechanisms. The documentary brings in footage of actual fighter jets and discusses the contributions made through the study of these creatures.

Before the Activity

• Photocopy the attached handout providing each student with a copy.
• If possible, set up microscope stations for looking at various feathers.
• Either provide hardcopies or have internet access to these articles to answer the handout questions:

https://web.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/text/essays/Wing_Shapes.html

https://www.earthlife.net/birds/flight.html

• The next group of articles includes current publications discussing direct application of bird study to plane design.

Wing Morphing of The Swift Could Inspire New Aircraft Designs: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070427113243.htm

Airplane Wings That Change Shape Like a Bird's Have Scales Like A Fish: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/04/040422000037.htm

Airborne Drones, Mimicking Gulls, Alter Wing Shape for Agility: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/08/050824080722.htm

Boeing's Hummingbird UAV hums along: https://www.cnet.com/news/boeings-hummingbird-uav-hums-along/

With the Students

1. Describe the activity by presenting the introduction for the activity as discussed above.
2. Explain the three segments that comprise this activity.
3. Ask the leading questions provided in the introduction of the activity and allow for some brief student responses.
4. As students are completing the handouts, walk around the classroom in order to ensure that students are on the right track.
5. Show the "Raptor Force" segment.

Assessment

Activity Embedded Assessment: Review and grade this assignment to determine students' accuracy in correctly identifying bird flight features.

Investigating Questions

Asked within the body of the handout.

Activity Scaling

For lower grades, provide more time for group discussions.

Additional Multimedia Support

"Raptor Force" a Nature Documentary preview is available at: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/raptor-force/introduction/1109/. The full length documentary is available for purchase for $19.99 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Raptor-Force-Liev-Schreiber/dp/B000WCN8C8.

Copyright

Supporting Program

Acknowledgements

The contents of this digital library curriculum were developed under National Science Foundation RET grant nos. 0338092 and 0742871. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the NSF, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.