Valley science lessons take flight

Former airmen guide students through museum

By PAUL PICKREM

GREENWOOD — A crew of volunteers at the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum is working with elementary school science teachers to teach the principles of flight to Valley students.

Grade 6 science students Haley Roop and Sarah O’Reilly of Pine Ridge Middle School in Kingston stand with science teacher Kelly Saunders and retired airman Bob Sexton at the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum. (Paul Pickrem)

About a dozen mostly former military personnel have been guiding Grade 6 science students through the displays at the museum since 2003, to illustrate how and why airplanes actually fly.

The information they share helps the students better understand a section of the Nova Scotia science curriculum on flight, which covers how birds, kites, rockets and airplanes fly.

Volunteer Bill Fraser has been sharing his knowledge of avionics learned over a 37-year career as air force airborne electrical sensor operator.

"We use it to show them how planes turn, bank, climb and dive," said Mr. Fraser, who has been working with the students for five years. "They learn about all the manoeuvres the aircraft can do."

The museum’s displays, including a 2/3 replica of a Spitfire fighter, give the students a practical demonstration of what they learn in the classroom by showing them how aircraft flight controls are used.

Student Haley Roop said she learned more about Newton’s second law of flight during the demonstration.

"The wind goes faster over the top of the wing, which is curved, and slower under the bottom, which is flat," she said, noting that the difference in pressure creates lift.

Classmate Sarah O’Reilly said the Spitfire prop reminded her of what she learned in the classroom about Newton’s third law.

"A force going in one direction creates an equal force in the opposite direction," she observed. "The propeller makes the plane go forward by moving air back over the wings."

Science teacher Kelly Saunders is impressed with the program.

"This really does reinforce what’s done in the classroom," he said. "And, it’s fascinating to talk to people who actually flew these planes."

Fellow teacher Connie Weinburg said students are learning from people in their own community who have knowledge of every aspect of flight and aviation technology.

"They get first-hand knowledge from people who have lived it," she said, "Not from a textbook or the Internet."

One Pine Ridge student’s mother is especially interested in what her son was learning about flight.

Air force Capt. Mary Cameron-Kelly, the first female pilot to fly the military’s Aurora aircraft, said her son Cameron is getting a better understanding of her job through the program.

"It’s a very educational program," she said. "What’s more important then hands-on stuff? It’s an excellent idea."

Program co-ordinator Lloyd Graham, a retired air force major, said the students also get a history lesson as they learn about the base’s contribution to NATO’s cold war efforts and as a search and rescue operation.

( ppickrem@herald.ca)  

This story appeared in the Halifax Chronicle Herald on January 30, 2007.  Story and photo by Paul Pickrem.

Related Page:  GMAM Flight Education Program.