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The school’s Physics of Flight class gives students a chance to learn about all things aeronautic, from rubber band-powered balsa wood planes to NASA space shuttles.
“It’s totally my favorite class,” said eighth-grader Eric Furrer, 13.
“Even if you’re a person who doesn’t like science, this class would be fun,” added seventh-grader Grant Campbell, 12.
This is the third year Bush Middle School has offered Physics of Flight. The honors-level course includes science experiments, rocket and radio-controlled airplane competitions and use of computer-assisted design programs.
As part of the course, students are working on a two-seat airplane known as a Pietenpol Air Camper.
With a nearly 29-foot wingspan, the spruce wood plane is based on a simple do-it-yourself design that was created in the 1930s.
The project began a couple of years ago, and students are about halfway finished with the exterior.
“We have most of the fuselage and almost all of the ribs,” Furrer said.
On a recent afternoon, students bent and glued balsa wood into small “ribs” that will be used in a model-sized Pietenpol Air Camper.
Science teacher Scott Cutler told the students that engineers often create smaller mock-ups of their projects.
“It allows them to predict where they have problems,” he said.
The plane project has been funded by several grants, and it probably will take several years to finish.
“Eventually, we’re going to fly it a few times and then we’re going to sell it and work on another one,” said eighth-grader Carly Workman, 13.
Although the plane is a major project, it’s not the emphasis of the class, Cutler said.
“The big picture is I want to get them excited about engineering, science and technology and mathematics,” he said. “It’s hopefully applied math and it’s applied science.”
Cutler refuses to put a deadline on the project because there are so many things that are still, er, up in the air about the project.
For example, an engine that was donated for the project will need to be completely rebuilt, and that will require more funding or a significant donation of an airplane mechanic’s time, he said.
Cutler is familiar with the process; it took him about 11 years to finish building his own aluminum plane.
Cutler said he hopes students will walk away from his Physics of Flight class with better problem-solving skills and a grasp of physical science, as well as more knowledge about all of those behind-the-scenes things that are going on when they board an airplane for vacation, or drive past a Boeing factory in the area.
Eighth-grader Tyson Christopherson, 14, said he has especially enjoyed the material science portion of the class, such as using a band saw and a power sander.
“It’s pretty fun; we do a lot of hands-on stuff,” he said.
Last year, Cutler invited a welder to his class to teach the students some basics of working with metal.
“It’s real-world application,” said Assistant Principal Shawn Guthrie. “It’s a broad range of skills and knowledge that they’re picking up.”
Lisa Pemberton: 360-754-5433
lpemberton@theolympian.com
theolympian.com/edblog
