Core Skills Analysis
Science
- Observed the principle of air resistance and gravity as the parachute slowed the roll’s fall.
- Recognized material properties: the plastic bag acts as a drag surface while the toilet paper roll provides weight.
- Conducted a simple experiment by dropping the parachute man and noting differences in descent speed.
- Formulated hypotheses about how varying parachute size or shape changes the rate of fall.
Mathematics
- Measured the length of the plastic bag and the circumference of the roll to determine parachute dimensions.
- Practiced unit conversion by switching between inches and centimeters for measurements.
- Counted and recorded the number of strings needed to attach the parachute evenly.
- Calculated simple ratios comparing parachute area to the weight of the roll.
Language Arts
- Followed step‑by‑step written or oral instructions, strengthening reading comprehension.
- Sequenced actions in the correct order, reinforcing narrative structure and logical flow.
- Learned and used new vocabulary such as "parachute," "drag," "air resistance," and "anchor."
- Wrote a short explanatory paragraph describing how the parachute was built and why it works.
Engineering & Technology
- Engaged in the engineering design cycle: brainstorm, prototype, test, and refine the parachute.
- Considered structural stability when securing strings to the roll’s surface.
- Evaluated how different folding techniques of the plastic bag affect parachute performance.
- Documented modifications and results, practicing technical documentation skills.
Art
- Selected colors and added decorations to the plastic bag, encouraging aesthetic choices.
- Developed fine‑motor skills while cutting, shaping, and assembling the parachute components.
- Explored symmetry by arranging strings evenly around the roll.
- Created a character name and storyline for the parachute man, integrating visual art with storytelling.
Tips
To deepen the learning, try a series of drop tests from varying heights and record the time each parachute takes to reach the floor, then graph the results. Next, challenge the child to redesign the parachute using a different shape (circle, square, or triangle) and predict which will fall slower based on surface area. Incorporate a math mini‑lesson where they calculate the area of each shape and compare ratios to the roll’s weight. Finally, have the child write a short adventure story from the parachute man’s point of view, linking the science concepts to narrative writing.
Book Recommendations
- Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty: A spirited girl who loves to invent, Rosie teaches perseverance and the engineering design process through imaginative projects.
- The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires: A young creator learns that trial, error, and redesign are key steps to making something truly magnificent.
- If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen: A whimsical look at how ideas become real inventions, encouraging kids to sketch, build, and test their own creations.
Learning Standards
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.A.1 – Measure and compare lengths of the parachute and strings.
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.C.5 – Calculate area of different parachute shapes.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.4 – Determine the main idea of a set of instructions and explain each step.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.2 – Write informative/explanatory text about how the parachute works.
- NGSS 2-PS1-4 – Plan and conduct an investigation to see the effect of shape and size on air resistance.
Try This Next
- Worksheet: Measure parachute width, length of strings, and roll circumference; calculate surface area and ratio to weight.
- Experiment Log: Drop the parachute from three heights, record descent times, and create a bar graph to compare results.