Glider Center of Gravity Pitch Trim STEM Lab (AERO05) | Middle School Aerospace Physics

?️ Glider Center of Gravity Pitch Trim STEM Lab (AERO05)

Explore center of gravity (CG), center of lift (CL), pitch torque balance, elevator trim tabs, aerodynamic stalling, longitudinal stability, and flight mechanics! The Glider Center of Gravity Pitch Trim STEM Lab (AERO05) challenges middle school student teams to act as flight test engineers, adjusting ballast mass and elevator trim to eliminate stall and dive behaviors and maximize glide distance.

Students explore flight stability, pitch balance, aerodynamic stalling, CG chord percentage math, and glide ratios!

? WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS 3-PAGE PACKET?

• ? Page 1: Teacher Guide & Lesson Plan: NGSS alignment (MS-PS2-2, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3), target science concepts, and flight runway setup guide. Expected student outcomes, answer keys, and fulcrum balance tips.

• ?️ Page 2: Student Mission Card & Blueprint: Real-world cargo glider flight control and stability engineering scenario hook. Clear material limits box (balsa/foam glider, clay ballast, ruler, fulcrum stand, tape, measuring tape). Dedicated Longitudinal Balance & Pitch Force Vector Schematic sketching zone.

• ? Page 3: Testing Log & Scientific Reflection: Structured Data Testing Table (CG position mm, ballast, distance, pitch behavior, glide ratio). Applied Math Connection (calculate CG Position Percentage % chord and Glide Ratio Efficiency). Physics reflection questions.

? CORE STEM SKILLS COVERED:

• Aerospace Engineering & Longitudinal Aircraft Stability

• Center of Gravity (CG) vs. Center of Lift (CL) Balance

• Aerodynamic Pitch Control & Stall Recovery

• Data Logging, Balance Distance Measurement, and Ratio Calculations

? WHY TEACHERS LOVE THIS RESOURCE:

• 3-Page Professional Layout: Includes a complete Teacher Guide for seamless prep, keeping student lab sheets clean and ready to print!

• Low-Cost Materials: Uses simple balsa/foam glider kits, clay, rulers, tape, and fulcrum stands.

• High-Impact Flight Physics Lab: Turns glider flying into an authentic, data-driven study of aircraft balance and stability physics!

• Format: High-resolution, print-ready PDF format (3 Pages).

Target Grades: 6th, 7th, 8th / Middle School

Subject Area: Physical Science, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, STEM Labs, Forces and Motion, Flight Mechanics

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