Preparation

This lesson is a great hook for making the study of forces (gravity, thrust, as well as balanced and unbalanced forces) real and relevant for students.

There are three student sheets that can be downloaded for this lesson. You may want to print these out for students. For the follow-up investigation, groups of students will need the materials listed on the activity page. You may wish to practice this before doing it with the class.

If you have never joined a live lesson before, visit the support centre, where you can find a range of technical and educational information.

Questions generated by your class can be submitted in advance via the interaction app that appears on this page after booking.

Lesson steps

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

We welcome classes to Gravity Industries, meeting founder and Chief Test Pilot, Richard Browning. This is also a chance to go over the learning for the lesson and cover digital housekeeping.

2. The possibility of human pilot (10 minutes)

We start the lesson learning from Richard about his journey into human flight, and how he designed the Gravity jet suit.

3. How a jet suit works (10 minutes)

Inside the Gravity laboratories, we find out how a jet suit works and how they are made. Students will be able to record their learning using the accompanying Student Sheet.

4. Jet suit investigation (5 minutes)

A jet suit works by creating a force to counteract gravity. We look at the science behind balanced and unbalanced forces and how an understanding of these allows for flight, including human flight. The team will demonstrate a jet suit investigation that can be replicated in the classroom.

5. Q&A (15 minutes)

This is a chance for children to ask any questions they have about the jet suit and the adventures in human flight. How do you even become a jet suit pilot?