Using the Recommended parts and materials, students construct on multiple design levels, a scratch build remote control aircraft.
The MESArcFF Scratch Build Guide is the basic layout on how the program is implemented at Erwin Middle School. All activities can be used to extend students' understanding of science, technology, engineering, and math concepts using the remote control aircraft.
Resource materials are provided to supplement students' understanding of core content. Resources include the following, click images;
rcBasics
The following Design Standards were taken from the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) and Performance Indicators for Students.
1. Creativity and Innovation
- Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
2. Communication and Collaboration
- Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance,
to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
3. Research and Information Literacy
- Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
- Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make
informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.
5. Digital Citizenship
- Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical
behavior.
6. Technology Operations and Concepts
- Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.
The below Literacy Standards are implemented by our class only because that is the requirements placed on our club during the school day.
The following Literacy Standards were taken from the Colorado Department of Education of year 2013
1. Pre-Reading
2. Connections
3. Predicting
4. Questioning
5. Visualization
6. Text Structure
7. Vocabulary
8. Retell vs. Summarizing
9. Determining Importance
1. Determining main idea from text (summar) and examining.
2. Vocabulary Development
3. Analyze how two texts compare/contrast or present info on the same topic.
4. Short Constructed Response practice
5. Using Graphic Organizers to organize ideas for writing.
6. Journaling
7. Research or reading resulting in written products.
8. Extended Writing
9. Engaging in the writing process.
The MESArcFF Program in Loveland conducts the curriculum in the following way;
Weekly Structure: (See Elements Below for Clarification)
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Monday: Activity 1-8 Implementation
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Tuesday: Reading and Reflection
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Wednesday: Design Training
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Thursday: Read and Reflection
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Friday: Activity 1-8 Implementation
NOTE: The class structure can be conducted based on your chapter's situation, for example, time, resources, facility usage, etc.
Guiding Question: What makes a plane fly?
Target: Students will learn and research the basic concepts of the physics of flight?
Standards: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Activities:
- Define Aerodynamics, Drag, lift, thrust, Gravity, G-Force, apparent weight, etc.
- Learn about the Scratch Build family of airfoils, see KFM airfoils articles.
- Learn about the axis of motion, pitch, roll, and yaw.
- Aircraft control, ailerons, elevator, rudder, elevrons, etc.
- Wing Designs, see articles.
- Flight Training and demos with different wing types.
Guiding Question: What is the MESArcFF Program?
Target: Students will learn about program rules, expectations, history, mission and vision statement, and the ultimate goal?
Standards: N/A
Activities:
Guiding Question: What rc electronics are used for scratch build aviation?
Target: Students will learn and understand the safety, use and application of remote control electronics?
Standards: 2, 4, 6
Activities:
- Assign a power system to students.
- Learning the electrical components and safety of a scratch build aircraft.
- Putting together a power system.
- Troubleshooting equipment, determining system to be used on specific design of aircraft.
- Terminology (Reference the rcVocabulary)
- What to buy when out of MESArcFF (Reference the Curriculum Used Parts)
Guiding Question: What is the importance of measurement and craftsmanship?
Target: Students will learn and understand the safety, tool use and application in creating a scratch built aircraft?
Standards: 1-6
Activities:
- General Lab Safety Rules
- Learn about the different types of foam and its use.
- Learn how to cut, bevel, and shape foam into a desired shape.
- Learn how to implement the power system, motor, servos, control linkages, etc.
- See articles "How to" as a a guide.
Guiding Question: What is the importance of flight safety?
Target: Students will learn and understand the safety, equipment used when it comes to flying aircraft?
Standards: 2 and 6
Activities:
- General Flight Safety Rules
- Learn about the affects of the controls/surfaces and how it controls an aircraft.
- Learn how to do pre and post aircraft checks.
- Learn how to take-off and land.
- Flight Simulator time!
Guiding Question: What is the importance of having an approach?
Target: Students will learn and understand the Design Cycle Usuage?
Standards: 1 through 6
Activities:
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Investigation/Research
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Design (Manual Drafting and CAD usuage)
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Create
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Evaluation/Testing
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Reflection
Guiding Question: What is the importance of having an approach?
Target: Students will put into practice the Design Cycle?
Standards: 1 through 6
Activities:
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Investigation/Research
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Design (Manual Drafting and CAD usuage)
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Create
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Evaluation/Testing
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Reflection
Activity Overview
Below is the Activities conducted by the Loveland MESArcFF program. They are designed to scafold and build on in conjunction with the Literacy and Reflection Days. Typically by mid year, Activities 4-8 are ran every Monday and Friday.
Activity One: Intro on the MESArcFF Program
Activity Two: Aerodynamic Basics
Activity Three: rcElectrical Component Basics
Activity Four: Scratch Build Basics
Activity Five: Flight Training
Activity Six: Learning the Design Cycle
Activity Seven: Students Investigate, Design, Create, and Evaluate
Standards Implemented
Class Structure
Activity Implementation
Below is the Reading and Reflection conducted by the Loveland MESArcFF program. They are designed to scafold and build on in conjunction with the Activity Days. MESA students are assigned an article to read and reflect on adhering to a particular task. Below is an example of a task prompt.
Reading and Reflection
Examples Given
Task Prompt:
After reading an informational text on Quadcopters, write a short report that defines the evolution of the aircraft and explains how it works. Supports your discussion with evidence from the reading.
Task Prompt:
After reading an informational text on Coaxial blades, write a short explanation that defines coaxial blade technology and explains how it works. Supports your discussion with evidence from the reading.
How Coaxial Blades Work?
Task Prompt:
After Reading/Viewing information on KK2 Boards, write a "How To" that defines the different components and explains and how it works. Supports your discussion with evidence from the reading/viewing. (Your Audience, entry level MESA student.)
KK2 Boards
Design Training is meant to teach the students how to use CAD when designing or replicating their aircraft projects. The software used is called DraftSight, it is FREE and a great CAD tool for students to learn the basics. Having this program also allows the students to work from home, easily transfer over to Corel Draw for Laser Cutter usage, and speed the process of aircraft design. Finally, it prepares the students for entry level CAD skills necessary for fields of Engineering. These are the United States National CAD Standard® (NCS) covered:
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Basic Tool Usage
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Layer Standards
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Line-Thickness/Properties
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Text and Dimension
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Presentation and Communication
Design Training