Visions of Exploration – Sponsored by the Air Force Association

In previous years, lessons have been developed for the Visions program that explore STEM-related topics. Last year, and continuing this year, lessons will be developed for each specific STEM discipline.

One lesson per month will be published online, and by the end of the school year, the series will include two science, two technology, two engineering and two math lessons. (For each discipline, one lesson is appropriate for high school and the other for middle school students.)

If you would like to peruse our previously published STEM-related lessons, see the Visions of Exploration archive.

2009-2010 Stem Lessons

Sticky Fluid System (pdf) — HS technology

Stages have Armstrong legacy (pdf) — HS math

Zooming In (pdf) — MS science

Hit parade started with 'Jackson 5' (pdf) — MS math

Talking to Mars (pdf) — MS technology

Rolling Backpack Science Lab (pdf) — HS science

Robots on Ice (pdf) — MS Engineering

Innovative Tooling (pdf) — HS Engineering

Visions of Exploration lesson archive

These older Visions of Exploration lessons are designed to enhance students’ reading, writing and comprehension skills, while introducing them to topics in science, technology, engineering and math. They prepare students for the world beyond the classroom and inspire them to become explorers.

High School Lessons

• As air force grows, so does Iraqis' pride
• Air Force trains warriors to defend cyberspace from terror
• 10 great places to savor the wild blue yonder
• Comeback kid has hot new jet, and fiery CEO to match
• Precision technology helps combat troops pinpoint enemy
• What brings personal jets to the masses? Lots of computing
• Pilot attempts solo, non-stop flight around world
• Dream Job: Hurricane hunter
• Discoveries add up to zilch
• Astronauts train in deep-space brine
• New breed of robots takes war to next level
• ‘BUFF’ at 50
• A new century of flight: Future fighters will be unmanned
• A new century of flight: Jumbo jets, smaller air taxis

Middle School Lessons

• After 15 years, Air Force gets memorial over capital
• Astronomer sees a ‘brake’ in cosmic expansion
• Special tactics training tests body, mind
• Young pilot has an uplifting story
• Sun too close? We’ll just change Earth’s orbit
• What if Amelia Earhart had turned around?
• A different kind of rock star: Mars Mania grips a nation Part 1; Part 2
• Year exploded with tech innovation, social change Part 1; Part 2
• NASA’s Mars gamble pays off Part 1; Part 2
• A new century of flight: The next Concorde
• A new century of flight: In theory
• A new century of flight: Flight records