what you will learn
In this lab, students are introduced to the forces that an airplane experiences in flight.
They will try to maximize the lift of their paper airplane designs and optimize lift to drag ratios to complete the distance or flight time challenges. Students should use the skills learned in this lab to design an accurate and precise paper airplane model.
Keynote Speaker
Janelle Wellons
Senior Mission Operations Engineer,
ispace
Schedule
- 10–10:30am Introduction to Aerodynamics
- 10:30–11:30am Aerodynamics Lab Challenge
- 11:30am–12:15pm Q&A and Wrap-up
- 12:15–1pm Keynote Speaker: Janelle Wellons
Lab Days feature time for students to interact with college engineering students and professional engineers!
Meet our keynote speaker
Janelle Wellons
Janelle Wellons graduated from MIT with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, leading to a 7-year career operating science instruments and spacecraft at the Moon, Saturn, and Earth.
Now a Senior Mission Operations Engineer at ispace, inc., she directs space operations for lunar missions.
Previously, Janelle worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory on missions like MAIA, Sentinel-6, SWOT, Cassini, and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. She has shared her passion for space with students, earning recognition like the Bruce Murray Award for inspiring STEM engagement.
Outside of work, she explores her new home in Japan and supports underrepresented communities in STEM.
what is a lab day?
Lab Days are live, virtual field trips.
Virtual field trip event
3 hours live, available later on demand
Event type
No-cost, hands-on live-streamed event
Your students will come together virtually with other classes all over the country to learn about a specific topic in engineering and complete their own related projects.
Participate live for the event — or attend as much as you can and watch the rest on demand.
WHY ENGINEERING TOMORROW
Labs are always conducted with no cost to schools, teachers or students.
Hands-on student activities get students excited and keep them engaged.
Cutting-edge instruction designed by professional engineers.
Unlock opportunities for kids all over the country.
