What are some potential aerospace and defense R&D projects for 7th graders?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Arjun Wasan
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Aerospace R&d
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around potential research and development projects in aerospace and defense suitable for 7th graders. It includes suggestions for practical projects, areas of interest, and considerations for safety and mentorship.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest exploring drone control and coordination as a significant area for research, highlighting various aspects such as remote piloting, autonomy, and obstacle avoidance.
  • One participant proposes using drones equipped with cameras for surveillance tasks, including target designation for weapons, emphasizing the potential for multiple drones to coordinate their movements.
  • Another participant inquires about the experience level of the original poster and their friend regarding real weapons, indicating a focus on practical knowledge in firearms and defense.
  • A suggestion is made to consider science projects related to ballistics, rocketry, and similar fields for school or science fairs, with an emphasis on mentorship and safety.
  • A participant mentions their experience mentoring students in related projects, noting a high success rate in competitions and encouraging brainstorming for project ideas.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present various ideas and suggestions, but there is no consensus on a specific project or approach. The discussion includes differing perspectives on the focus areas and methodologies suitable for 7th graders.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of experience and knowledge, which may influence the feasibility and safety of proposed projects. The discussion also reflects a dependence on mentorship and guidance for undertaking certain activities.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for middle school students interested in aerospace and defense, educators looking for project ideas, and mentors seeking to guide young learners in STEM fields.

Arjun Wasan
Messages
7
Reaction score
1
Hello,

Me and my friend are both in 7th grade and we want to do aerospace and defense R&D. My friend knows just about everything there is to know about firearms and knows a lot about Tanks as well. I am knowledgeable about physics and aerospace engineering and have been studying them at an undergraduate level. Is there anything that we can do?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
One of the hot topics now is control and coordination of drones. There will be a lot of research on it for a long time. You could get a drone or two and see if you can fly it using your own control logic (computer programming required).
I don't want it to sound intimidating, but there are a lot of things that you can work on:
1) They can be remotely piloted or autonomous.
2) If they have cameras, you can work on getting them to maintain steady surveillance.
3) If the surveillance is good enough, it would be able to designate a target for weapons.
4) Multiple drones can coordinate so that a target is always in view of one of them as they fly around.
5) You can try it in a basement or any large room and see if it can avoid obstacles (including other drones).
6) Large fans can be used to make wind that they would have to adjust for.
 
How many years of experience do you kids have in shooting different types of real weapons?
 
A next step might be to work on science projects (like for school or regional science fairs) in areas of interest. Depending on project topics, you can work either together or separately.

I've mentored a number of projects for 6th-12th graders over the years in ballistics, rocketry, blast, and related fields. If I recall correctly, over 80% of them have won first in their category at the state level, and we've never had one fail to place at regional.

Give my article, Secrets of Successful Science Projects, a careful read and start brainstorming ideas for projects you might be able to complete safely under the guidance of your parents or another adult who is properly qualified to oversee your activities.

https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/secrets-successful-science-projects/

If you like, you may PM me for feedback on your idea(s) after some brainstorming.
 

Similar threads

Engineering Masters programs to work in aerospace/defense as an engineer
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
5K
Aerospace/Applied Physics for building robotic exploration vehicles
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Engineering What should I study of Aerospace Engineer and applied physics
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
Engineering Trouble with choosing how to shape my engineering career
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Other Finding a research topic in the Aerospace field
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
What to do after MSci Physics? Physics/aerospace/etc....?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Engineering Transferable skills and the industries for engineers?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Engineering Aerospace Engineering and propulsion
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Help with final year uni course selection for defense and rocket industry
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Engineering Is Aerospace Engineering for me?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K