NASA’s New STEM Toolkit for Advanced Air Mobility: A Comprehensive Resource for Educators and Students

NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is known for its groundbreaking discoveries and innovations in the realms of air and space. Recently, NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate released a new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) toolkit, focusing on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). This resource is designed for educators and students of all ages, providing them with a wealth of knowledge and hands-on activities related to the AAM mission.

The AAM STEM toolkit is a free, comprehensive resource that enables learners to explore the scientific concepts behind drone flight and the use of new aircraft in our skies. It is one of three STEM toolkits offered by NASA’s Aeronautics Research, the others being Sustainable Aviation and the Quesst mission.

The toolkit offers numerous educational activities, allowing students to engage with the principles of AAM in various ways. These activities cover topics such as coding, mathematics, energy, the environment, and more. By participating in these activities, students can contribute to the transformation of aviation and develop solutions to the challenges of 21st-century flight.

One of the most exciting aspects of the AAM STEM toolkit is its cross-curricular approach. Students do not need a drone to learn about the scientific concepts behind drone flight. The toolkit provides excellent opportunities for students to explore these concepts through various activities.

For instance, an activity named “Drone Safety and Design” encourages students to create an art poster to explore and highlight original ideas for drone safety and the safe use of drones. This activity not only fosters creativity but also helps students understand the importance of drone safety.

Another activity, “Robotic Search and Rescue,” allows students to interact with real-world uses for drones, particularly in emergency response operations. In this activity, students create and test their responses to challenges first responders may face. This hands-on experience not only engages students in problem-solving but also provides them with a better understanding of the practical applications of drones.

The AAM STEM toolkit also includes activities that simulate drone navigation around obstacles to deliver lunch to school. This simulation engages students in computational thinking, problem-solving, and real-world application of mathematics.

Moreover, many of these activities are aligned with national standards, making them suitable for classroom use. The toolkit also includes levelled readers, videos, and e-books, and is updated regularly with new material.

April Lanotte, NASA Aeronautics’ lead for STEM integration, expressed her enthusiasm for the AAM STEM toolkit. “The Advanced Air Mobility STEM toolkit provides excellent, cross-curricular ways to learn about the scientific concepts behind drone flight,” she said. “It has something for people of all ages in all types of educational environments.”

The AAM toolkit is a living resource, as the field of AAM is constantly evolving. NASA Aeronautics is committed to keeping the toolkit up-to-date with the latest information and developments.

The AAM toolkit, along with the rest of NASA Aeronautics’ comprehensive STEM resources, is available on the Aeronautics STEM webpage. By utilizing these resources, educators and students can gain valuable insights into the world of AAM and contribute to the advancement of this exciting field.

In conclusion, NASA’s new AAM STEM toolkit is a valuable resource for educators and students interested in the field of Advanced Air Mobility. It offers a wide range of activities that enable learners to explore the scientific concepts behind drone flight and the use of new aircraft in our skies. By engaging in these activities, students can contribute to the transformation of aviation and develop solutions to the challenges of 21st-century flight. The toolkit’s cross-curricular approach, real-world applications, and alignment with national standards make it an excellent resource for educators and students alike.