A Vision in Aeronautics, a project within the NASA Lewis Research
Center's Information Infrastructure Technologies and Applications
(IITA) K-12 Program, employs small-scale, subsonic wind tunnels
to inspire students to explore the world of aeronautics and computers.
Recently, two educational K-12 wind tunnels were built in the
Cleveland area. During the 1995-1996 school year, preliminary
testing occurred in both tunnels.
At General Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Aviation High School, the students
conducted three wind tunnel experiments. In the first one, they
analyzed a venturi (see the first figure). After collecting velocity
and pressure data through the tunnel's instrumentation, the students
used the data to create computer-generated graphs displaying the
relationship of velocity and pressure.
In the second experiment, the students observed an airfoil at
various angles of attack. They visually observed the tufts on
the airfoil as it was rotated from a horizontal position to a
steep angle of attack. Then, they plotted the velocity and pressure
readings at various angles (as shown in the following figure).
Their third project was the wheel pant project, a research project
conducted by NASA Lewis Research Center's Structural Systems Branch
to design a more aerodynamic wheel cover for small aircraft. Helping
out with this real-world research project, students performed
initial tests of Lewis' wheel pant design in Aviation High School's
K-12 wind tunnel. The tests indicated that the covered wheel will
provide some additional drag reduction. By working with the students
and using this educational tunnel, NASA researchers were able
to expedite their research on this project instead of waiting
for a schedule opening for the heavily used NASA wind tunnels.
At Barberton High School, the wind tunnel was used for a pine
car drag race. Students designed cars with features they believed
would make their cars the fastest. Then the cars were tested in
the tunnel to find the car with the least amount of drag.
At both schools, the student participants learned a great deal
about aeronautics. They will have a head start on their college
studies should they pursue aeronautics further.
During the 1996-1997 school year, these tunnels will be opened
up to students in other schools through the use of the Internet.
Students at remote schools will be able to build a test object
and send it to the school with the tunnel it is to be tested in.
While the test is being conducted, desk-top video conferencing
and electronic data transfer will allow students at the remote
school to observe testing in real time.
Find out more about the NASA Lewis K-12 Wind Tunnel.
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Responsible NASA Official: Walter.S.Kim@grc.nasa.gov, 216-433-3742,
point of contact for NASA Glenn's Research & Technology reports
Web page curator: Nancy.Amman@grc.nasa.gov (InDyne, Inc.)
Last updated: May 1997
