Curated OER
The Parachute
Students discuss parachutes and write a procedure to determine the effect of different size parachutes and different masses on the time it takes the masses to fall. They record all their data from their experiment then write three...
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Parachute Drop
Learners will have fun creating a parachute to collect data with. They will construct the parachute in small groups, measure the materials, and create an observation sheet. Then they drop the parachute and make predictions about how long...
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Parachutes
Young scholars make and observe the flight of simple parachutes. In this parachute lesson, students listen to Henry M. Holden's, Fire-Fighting Aircraft and Smoke Jumpers. They make parachutes out of plastic bags, tape, and strings before...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Playing with Parachutes
This lesson certainly will not be a drag! Little engineers design parachutes that make use of air resistance and, as a result, slow the descent of the payload as much as possible. It is an opportunity to teach about many motion concepts:...
Curated OER
Building a Parachute
Fourth graders construct a parachute using specified materials in a set amount of time. They observe a toy parachute attached to a toy man and discuss what makes him move slower or faster. Then in small groups they design, construct,...
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The Invention of the Parachute
Students study the invention of the parachute and how Leonardo da Vinci came up with the design. In this aerodynamics instructional activity students test the properties that make parachutes more efficient.
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Design a Parachute
Middle schoolers engage in a discussion about what a parachute is and how it works. They create a parachute using different materials that they think will work best. The students test their designs, which will be followed by a class...
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Parachutes: What Affects a Parachute
Students create a simple paper parachute. In this parachute design lesson, students examine the effects of the wind and make napkin parachutes.
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Blow-and-Go Parachute
Students design a skydiver and parachute constraption to demonstrate how drag caused by air resistance slows the descent of skydivers as they travel back to Earth. They experience how gravity pulls the skydiver toward the earth and how...
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Build Your Own Parachute
Learners study the basics of parachuting. In this flight and aerodynamics lesson students make a simple parachute and investigate different variables that can cause potential problems.
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What Makes Airplanes Fly?
Students examine force and conduct activities that model parachutes and helicopters. In this airplanes activity students identify the forces that make airplanes fly higher and land.
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Paper Parachutes
Students participate in a simulation of a parachute-jump competition by making paper parachutes and then dropping them towards a target on the floor. They measure the distance from the point where the paper parachute lands compared to...
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Parachute Drop
Students explore the effects of gravity. They create a parachute and make predictions about the effect of adding weight to the bottom of the parachute. Students record and interpret results of parachute experiments.
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Parachutes: Is it Surface Area or Shape?
Students investigate how to make a good parachute. For this physics lesson, students observe the motion of parachutes as it falls and measure the time. They collect data and calculate the average descent time for each canopy shape.
Curated OER
Does Weight Affect Drag?
Students investigate how weight affects a parachute's rate of fall. In this investigative activity students test parachutes, average results and conclude what makes a faster descent.
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Destination Outer Space
Students investigate space travel. In this space travel lesson students examine space exploration history, engineers and scientists involved in space exploration, and Newton's third law of motion. Students make rockets.
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Gravity Lesson
Fifth graders study the effects of mass on gravity. In this gravity lesson, 5th graders make model parachutes and helicopters in order to apply the scientific process and find out the effects of mass on drops of the 2 objects.
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Forces and Motion
Students build parachutes for chicken eggs. In this physics lesson plan, students describe the forces acting on a falling object. They predict which of the three parachute models they made has the best chance of keeping the egg intact...
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Aviation, Aeronautics and Aerodynamics
Learners investigate the physics of flight through various experiments. In this physics lesson, students construct different flying objects. They explain the dynamics that make these object fly.
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Mars Pathfinder Egg Drop and Landing
Students construct a pathfinder that could land an egg safely. In this physics activity, students explain the factors affecting the dynamics of falling objects. They evaluate their pathfinder design.
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Motion and Gravity
Third graders make parachutes to learn about gravity and the science process. In this gravity instructional activity, 3rd graders create parachutes and observe their flight in air. Students discuss wind and gravity for the activity.
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Work Air Does
Students complete a lab observation form predicting how air makes a helicopter and pinwheel work. Constructing their own helicopter, they begin to drop it from various heights. They discuss the force on air and how it affects both objects.
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Look Mom, No Wings!
Students explain how drag, weight, lift and thrust work together to make something fly. For this physics lesson, students measure their jump height and record data on the table. They reason out why they can't remain airborne for long.
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Bottle Rocket Lesson
Students design a rocket that stays on air for the longest period of time. For this physics lesson, students research the function of different rocket components. They test their design and make necessary modifications.