DESCRIPTION:

Students will design, construct, and two wing airfoils. One should be suitable for generating lift for low-speed aircraft. The other should be a low-drag design for high-speed aircraft. Students will also create mathematical models of the performance characteristics of the airfoils.

CONSTRUCTION:

1. Students will construct airfoils which can be tested in the 24-inch wind tunnel..
2. The airfoil must be of original design and constructed from basic materials (wood, cardboard, plastic, etc.).
3. Airfoil designs should be based on information gained from thorough research and computer modeling (when possible).
4. Care must be taken to ensure that each airfoil will effectively attach to a force sensor.

DESIGN PROCESS & TESTING REQUIREMENTS:

1. Your procedure must not involve any safety hazard. Goggles and adult supervision are required while tools are being used.
2. A project proposal must be approved and signed by the teacher before construction begins.
3. Quantitative tests (lift measurements, drag measurements, effects of changing angle of attack, etc.) must be used to evaluate the design and to create a model of of its performance characteristics. These must be documented in the report.
4. Unless all testing data and the final evaluation are perfect (not likely), evidence must be shown that design changes were made based on research (or computer analysis).
5. All airfoils will be tested using the wind tunnel provided by the teacher. It is the students' responsibility to ensure that their airfoils are capable of being tested in the wind tunnel and will connect to a force sensor.

REPORT:

Reports will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

Presentation of Physical Concepts

· Introduced the relevant physical principles (and historical background when appropriate) completely and clearly

· Kinematics and dynamics accurately represented throughout (symbols, graphs, text, data, equations)

· Accurately described/defined relevant quantities (d, v, a, F, etc.)

Design Process and Analysis

· Demonstrated careful and thorough planning

· Research thoroughly utilized during the design process

· Used a logical method to effectively manipulate materials during design/construction

· Used a logical method to effectively manipulate materials and instruments during testing

· Interpreted/analyzed data logically and correctly

Communication

· Submitted a formal report containing all the required sections

· Submitted an attractively formatted, completely word-processed lab report

· Electronically inserted a picture or diagram into the report

· Presented and organized data in table (and graph, where appropriate) form

· Data collection/reporting was accurate and complete

· Showed complete quantities with units

· Presented information and analysis in an easy-to-follow format and writing style

· Gave a clear interpretation/analysis of test and evaluation data

· Clearly states the purpose of the work

· Proposed an appropriate and succinct concluding evaluation

· Followed rules of grammar, sentence construction, and punctuation; minimum of spelling errors

Teamwork and Cooperation

· Met intermediate deadlines set by the teacher; came to class prepared, used class time effectively

· All members were helpful and respectful to each other

· All members participated and made a significant input