Case studies on careers in aviation—middle school
- Larry Burris: Noise Monitor
- Roger Cordiner: Keeping Planes on Schedule
- Scott Eberhardt: Wind Tunnel Testing
- Jean Elmer Flying Eagle Espresso
- Mill Fambles and the Tuskegee Airmen
- Paige Miller: Doing Business in Taiwan
- Patricia Tonsgard: Repairing Runways
Larry Burris: Noise Monitor
Students help King County International Airport Noise Manager Larry Burris conduct research, collect information, and synthesize information for others as he attempts to help citizens who are angry about airplane noise. Lesson plan includes both a written assignment and a group communications and role-playing exercise.
Career Pathway: Engineering, Industry & Science
Subject Area: Social Studies
EALRs:
Communication 1.1, 1.2, 1.3,.2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.4
Writing 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.4
Civics 4.1, 4.3
Download student copy: msa-burris-std.rtf (16KB RTF)
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Roger Cordiner: Keeping Planes on Schedule
Students help United Airlines mechanic Roger Cordiner determine how and when to communicate with co-workers and passengers as he repairs a faulty valve on a plane. Case study stresses the relationship of communication skills to all career pathways. Teaching notes include group oral presentations and individual written assignments.
Career Pathway: Engineering, Industry & Science
Subject Area: Communication
EALRs:
Writing 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.4
Communication 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.3, 4.2, 4.4
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Scott Eberhardt: Wind Tunnel Testing
Scott Eberhardt manages the University of Washington’s wind tunnel. He encounters problems testing an aircraft due to incomplete records from a previous test. Students explore the principles of flight and the documentation procedures for scientific experiments. Case study includes an in-class writing exercise, two longer-term research and writing assignments, and a wind tunnel project.
Career Pathway: Engineering, Industry, & Science
Subject Area: Science
EALRs:
Science 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.3
Writing 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.4
Communication 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.3, 4.2, 4.4
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Jean Elmer Flying Eagle Espresso
Students help Flying Eagle Espresso owner Jean Elmer plan an expansion for her espresso cart, which is located in the baggage claim area of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Students also complete a business plan exercise designed to explore the issues small business owners must confront when opening a new business. Case study includes one persuasive writing exercise in a business memo format and a business plan worksheet.
Career Pathway: Business & Management
Subject Area: Writing
EALRs:
Writing 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.4
Communication 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.4
Download student copy: msa-elmer-std.rtf (12KB RTF)
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Mill Fambles and the Tuskegee Airmen
Students help Alaska Airlines pilot Mill Fambles organize a summer aviation for students that will be built around the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, an African American WWII airborne squadron. Case study includes a persuasive writing exercise as well as three potential research assignments.
Career Pathway: Engineering, Industry, & Science
Subject Area: Social Studies/Communications and History
EALRs:
History 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.2
Writing 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.2
Communication 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 4.4
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Paige Miller: Doing Business in Taiwan
Students help Port of Seattle Commissioner Paige Miller prepare for an important business meeting in Taiwan which, if successful, will lead to a new air route between Seattle and Taiwan. Students use reading and listening skills to learn more about business practices in Taiwan and then advise Paige on the strategy she should use in the meeting. Lesson plan includes written assignments, a group communication exercise, and an optional art exercise to create a marketing poster.
Career Pathway: Business & Management
Subject Area: Social Studies
EALRs:
Communication 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.4
Writing 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.4
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Patricia Tonsgard: Repairing Runways
Students help King County International Airport Maintenance Supervisor Patricia Tonsgard schedule a time to repair a crack in the airport’s runway. In the process, students collect information about all the people and organizations who must be notified about the runway closure, develop a list of steps needed to proceed with the repair, and learn the need for and then develop a complex time line (Gantt) chart. Lesson plan includes answer key for assigned chart.
Career Pathway: Engineering, Industry & Science
Subject Area: Mathematics
EALRs:
Mathematics 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.2, 5.3
Writing 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.4
Communication 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.4
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Last update: November 19, 2007