Dixon introduces basic concepts of flight and detailed experiments which can be done to better understand why things such as planes, helicopters and birds fly. The activities involve collecting and using materials and producing a finished product that is often useable. In this simulation of a cross-country air race, student teams fly small planes across an imaginary continent. Students must plan their strategies, figure out specific flight plans, react to the vagaries of fate, make new decisions, and record what happens to them. As they participate, they should begin to develop knowledge of maps and to acquire skills such as reading maps, calculating distances, reading latitude and longitude and writing journal entries.
Cooperative planning is an important aspect of the game.
Dixon introduces basic concepts of flight. The detailed experiments may provide a better understanding of why things such as planes, helicopters and birds fly. This material could be used independently or in groups. Included are a table of contents, glossary, bibliography and an index. This book examines the history of flight.