Bernoulli FLEXCART

See the Bernoulli principle in action! Suspend light-weight spheres in mid-air and learn how this is possible through the connection between speed and pressure so that even something as heavy as a jumbo jet is able to fly “suspended” in the sky. Through the use of the Bernoulli FLEXCART, students will experience the phenomena of Bernoulli’s principle of flight and Newton’s laws.

Students will learn about the Four Forces of Flight and how weight, lift, drag and thrust interact in order to keep the ball suspended. Context can be given as these same concepts are applied to any plane in flight. Give a hands-on experience that translates to the contextual experience of flight that happens everyday.

Bernoulli

STEM Concepts Learned From Use of the Bernoulli FLEXCART: Grade Bands 3-5

Phenomena of the Bernoulli Principle: Users will apply the Bernoulli Principle of flight by placing colored balls in the air stream and suspending them in air. The Bernoulli Principle states: when air flows around an object the air pressure changes as the velocity of the air changes. When air velocity increases over an object it lowers the pressure and when air moves slower over an object it raises the pressure thus causing lift.

Aviation Principles: Learning concepts such as drag, thrust, lift, weight (forces of flight) airfoil (wing design) are components that are used in conjunction with the Bernoulli Principle to achieve flight.

Exhibit Technology: Users will experience the Bernoulli Principle on interactive/exhibit technology. Through this interaction users will understand how the Bernoulli Bench acts as a model or replica of larger objects. Users will also understand the use and limitations of such technology.

Vernier Technology: Vernier sensors and probes can be added as an accessory for the measurement of real-time data.

Engineering Concepts: Users design their own airplane or aircraft for best performance. This will include analyzing data from previous tests and evaluating current aircraft designs to produce a more competitive aviation model for increased performance

Math Calculations: Bernoulli Equation; energy per unit volume before = energy per unit volume after P + (v2/2g) = constant. Drag, lift equations and graphing all results

STEM Careers associated with the Bernoulli FLEXCART:

  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Aerodynamics Engineer
  • Fluid Dynamics Engineer
  • Aeronautical Engineer
  • Commercial Airline Pilot
  • Flight Test Engineer
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
  • Helicopter Pilot
  • Electrical and Instrumentation Technician
    (Natural Gas company, maintaining equipment for accuracy in fluid measurements in pipes)

Bernoulli FLEXCART Specs:

Bernoulli Specs

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

NGSS aligned curriculum for the Bernoulli FLEXCART is currently under development and will be available September of 2020.

Topic: Forces and Interactions

Performance Expectations:
3-PS2-1: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.

Topic: Energy

Performance Expectations:
4-PS3-1: Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object.

Topic: Engineering Design:

Performance Expectations:
4-PS3-4: Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another

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