Bernt Balchen

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/bernt-balchen

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Bernt Balchen born?October 23, 1899
2. Where was Bernt Balchen born?Norway
3. What is the primary fields?Polar aviation, aerial navigation, aircraft engineering, military leadership
4. What is the awards?Recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross
5. Who was Bernt Balchen?Bernt Balchen was a brave pilot, engineer, and military leader from Norway who helped people fly safely in the Arctic.
6. Why was he important for flying in the Arctic?He showed that planes could work in very cold places, and he taught others how to navigate and fix problems in icy weather.

Polar Aviation: The specialized discipline of operating aircraft in the extreme cold and challenging navigational conditions of the Earth's polar regions.
Aerial Navigation: The science and practice of determining the position and planning the course of an aircraft, especially in difficult environments.
Aircraft Mechanical Engineer: A professional who designs, develops, tests, and oversees the production of aircraft and aerospace systems, focusing on mechanical aspects.
Strategic Airpower: The use of military aircraft to achieve broad, long-term objectives, such as projecting power, disrupting enemy capabilities, and influencing geopolitical outcomes.