FoilSim: Software for Teaching About Airfoils

FoilSim is a computer program that calculates and graphically depicts information on flows of air around airfoils of various shapes. Although it is useful primarily as a teaching tool to enhance mathematical and scientific curricula, it was derived from "real-life" flow-computing software of engineering quality. To make the underlying flow-computing software useful in education, it was augmented with a graphical user interface that enables students to manipulate the features of the program easily and that guides the students through the learning process. The team that designed FoilSim combined the highly technical knowledge of scientists with the understanding of experienced educators to generate a product that is not too complex to be understood by students, yet it provides an entertaining and interactive way for students to explore substantial mathematical and scientific concepts.