Science of flight
From birds, balloons and kites to jet planes – explore the world of aviation!
All you need to know about flying
Here kids can learn how planes take off, fly and land. And even how they are built!
Airplanes and how they fly are a very appealing subject for kids to think about. We humans have always looked to the sky and wondered how to get there. So, let’s explore aviation together!
- How do things fly? Those videos show all kinds of flying objects. Balloons, birds, airplanes and helicopters, to name a few. Not all of them have wings. Kids will be challenged to think about the question of how things fly.
- Thousands of airplanes in the sky: There are a lot of airplanes in the sky. But it took a lot of brain power to get them there. This video series shows how people invent, power and design airplanes.
- How do airplanes get from one place to another? These videos tell kids what happens with an airplane as it flies. It gets quite technical - on an age appropriate level. For example: what happens to the wings of an airplane when it lands?
How do things fly?
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How do airplanes fly?
How do airplanes fly?
Airplanes don’t flap their wings like a bird, but they still manage to fly. How is that even possible?
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Why birds are made for flying?
Why birds are made for flying?
The three reasons why birds can fly and we can’t. And no, it’s not just because they have wings! Although they do help a lot.
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How do helicopters fly?
How do helicopters fly?
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Balloons: why do they float?
Balloons: why do they float?
Balloons are the first thing we’ve ever put in the sky. But why do they float? And what is the difference between the big balloons and the small ones?
How do airplanes get from one place to another?
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Getting ready for take-off
Getting ready for take-off
Getting an airplane to take off is no easy thing. A lot of work is done before it’s time to start the engines and fly in the sky.
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3 ways an airplane can turn
3 ways an airplane can turn
How do you turn in the sky? There’s no ground, no wheels and the wings can’t move. So how do they do it?
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How airplanes fly in bad weather
How airplanes fly in bad weather
In the sky there’s no umbrella protecting airplanes from the rain. So how do they fly in the sky in any weather?
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How to land an airplane
How to land an airplane
Landing an airplane is all about braking. Going from 900 kilometers in the sky to standing still on the ground is not easy!
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What happens when you fly
What happens when you fly
Flying is quite the adventure! You’ll hear sounds and experience things you’ve never experienced before. So… what’s happening?
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The invisible highways in the sky
The invisible highways in the sky
How do airplanes find their way in the sky? Without any signs, roads or GPS navigation like we have in the car?
Thousands of airplanes in the sky
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The history of flying
The history of flying
The history of flight is about flying and falling. It started by pretending we’re birds, but soon we found better ways to fly!
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What do we use aircraft for? - Chapter 2 - English version
What do we use aircraft for? - Chapter 2 - English version
For each sky mission you need the right aircraft. How fast do you want to go, where will you fly and what will you carry? What aircraft will you choose?
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How to design an airplane
How to design an airplane
When designing an airplane, we want to make sure that it’s light. But, how about safety? Learn how they build the planes we fly today!
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What fuel do planes fly with?
What fuel do planes fly with?
There are different kinds of fuel airplanes can fly with. Oil is one, but there are alternatives that give planes the energy to fly.
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Airports: The perfect home of planes
Airports: The perfect home of planes
An airport is the home of airplanes. Learn about the air traffic control tower, super tugs and more!
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Airplanes: Evolving for the planet
Airplanes: Evolving for the planet
When we started flying years ago, it wasn’t very nice for our planet. Planes were loud and smelly. But that has changed a lot today!
Activities
Read our booklet or use the learning scenarios, especially created to practice and to learn in a funny way.
Learning scenario
Science of Flight | Learning Scenario - Air density
Learning Scenario - You are today’s Leonardo Da Vinci!
Learning Scenario - Gliders
Learning Scenario - Fly, Grand-ma, Fly!
Learning Scenario - Why birds can fly
Booklet
Science of Flight Booklet
- Learning scenario
- Booklet
Science of Flight | Learning Scenario - Air density
Learning Scenario - You are today’s Leonardo Da Vinci!
Learning Scenario - Gliders
Learning Scenario - Fly, Grand-ma, Fly!
Learning Scenario - Why birds can fly
Science of Flight Booklet
Want to explore more?
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Mission to the Moon
Everything you need to know to go and live on the Moon.
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Helicopters in emergency situations
This mini-series of videos presents the many advantages of helicopters particularly in the context of firefighting, search and…
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Satellites are fascinating
Series of videos to understand how satellites are working.
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Future of the skies
Here kids will learn about various scientific projects that aim to shape the future.
