![Four Harvard training aircraft](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2021-12/harvards.jpg?itok=54yNGDe_)
How Planes Fly
Backgrounders
Learn about what gets planes up in the air, what keeps them up there, and what brings them down again.
![Image showing the physics of flight on a drone.](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2021-02/Forces_of_flight_on_a_drone_1.png?itok=UsnLkNCm)
Resources on Physics and Aerospace
STEM Explained
Resource page including articles and career profiles related to physics and aerospace.
![Eric and his rocket](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-09/Eric_and_rocket_1.jpg?itok=khIRhMGb)
ScienceXplosion - The Era of the Air Pump
Interactives
On this episode of ScienceXplosion, Eric makes a bottle rocket.
![The planet Mars](/sites/default/files/2019-10/Mars.png)
What is your weight on another planet?
Hands-on Activities
Do you weigh the same on Jupiter as you do on Earth? Learn to calculate your weight on a different planet.
![Which materials bounce?](/sites/default/files/2019-08/which-materials-bounce.jpg)
Which materials bounce?
Hands-on Activities
Balls go up and down. But what makes for a good ball? Find out by exploring which materials bounce.
![Mars Science Laboratory Parachute Qualification Testing](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/Mars_science_lab_parachute_testing.jpg?itok=Ly8xx3i5)
Testing Parachutes for Mars
STEM Explained
NASA engineers apply kinematics and dynamics to test parachutes designed specifically to help space probes land safely using aerodynamics.
![AeroVelo's winning flight](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-10/Aerovelo%27s_winning_flight.jpg?itok=LW292kJO)
The Hovering Human
STEM Explained
Learn how a team of Canadian engineers used Bernoulli’s Principle to design a human-powered helicopter. It set a world record for human-powered hovering flight!
![Wingsuit flying over Massachusetts](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-07/Wingsuit%20flying%20over%20Massachusetts.png?itok=ZYFcFP2I)
Soaring for Sport
STEM Explained
Ever dreamed if overcoming gravity and flying away? Using aerodynamics, wingsuit jumpers get as close to flight as humanly possible.
![A man powers a drone with a remote control. Image © Bestgreenscreen, iStockphoto.com](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/A%20man%20powers%20a%20drone%20with%20a%20remote%20control.jpg?itok=zRupYrjb)
It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's... a Drone!
STEM Explained
Drones are very cool and very useful aircraft! This resource explains how drones stay in flight, and outlines some of their uses.
![Construction vehicles use hydraulics. Image © Djahan, iStockPhoto.com](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/Construction%20vehicles%20use%20hydraulics.jpg?itok=9wlkKEIz)
Hydraulics 101
STEM Explained
Hydraulics power many of the large machines you see around you.
![A group of teens riding bicycles](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2021-03/teenagers_on_bikes.jpg?itok=N_FfMvMA)
How Can Understanding Physics Help Me Go Faster on My Bike?
STEM Explained
You don’t have to pedal harder to go faster. You just have to understand a little bit about dynamics, gravitational force and friction!
![How can you lift a marble off a table without touching it with your hands?](/sites/default/files/2019-08/how-can-you-lift-a-marble-off-a-table.jpg)
How can you lift a marble off a table without touching it with your hands?
Hands-on Activities
Is it magic? No - it’s physics! Use circular motion to overcome the force of gravity and amaze your family!
![How can I build a rollercoaster?](/sites/default/files/2019-08/how-can-i-build-a-roller-coaster.jpg)
How can I build a rollercoaster?
Hands-on Activities
Try your hand at building a “super coaster” using materials around your home.
![How can I engineer a raft so that it holds the most weight?](/sites/default/files/2019-08/how-can-i-engineer-a-raft.jpg)
How can I engineer a raft so that it holds the most weight?
Hands-on Activities
Explore the forces of gravity and buoyancy while designing a raft to hold the most weight possible.
![Boy on bicycle](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-12/Boy_on_bicycle.jpg?itok=7WxcxIVE)
How Can I Go Faster on My Bike?
STEM Explained
You don’t have to pedal harder to go faster. You just have to understand a little bit about gravity, drag and friction!