About This Lesson
Introduce your students to the engineering design process and the science of air resistance with our Design a Parachute STEAM activity—perfect for engaging learners in grades 3–5 with hands-on experimentation.
What’s Included?
- Design a Parachute PowerPointA comprehensive, illustrated presentation introducing parachute science, air resistance, and how to design experiments. Includes key vocabulary, parachute examples, step-by-step instructions, and discussion questions to guide students through the STEAM design process.
- Design a Parachute STEAM ActivityA practical activity sheet where students design, build, test, and refine their own parachute prototypes using everyday materials like coffee filters, string, and paper clips. The worksheet prompts them to record variables, make predictions, collect data, and reflect on their results.
Why You’ll Love It
- Combines science, technology, engineering, arts, and math into a single engaging lesson.
- Hands-on, inquiry‑based learning encourages experimentation, creativity, and problem-solving.
- Standards-aligned and classroom-ready—ideal for science, STEM, or cross-curricular units with minimal prep.
How Can I Use These Resources?
- Introduce parachute science using the slideshow, covering forces, gravity, and drag.
- Guide students through design using the presentation’s planning and prediction prompts.
- Build and test parachutes in small groups, experimenting with different materials and designs.
- Collect and analyze data on descent times, recording results on the activity sheet.
- Reflect and refine—students discuss outcomes, adjust their designs, and retest.
- Extend learning by challenging students to design parachutes that carry small payloads or land accurately on targets.
Bring science to life with this structured, creative, and engaging parachute STEAM project—perfect for active learners and critical thinkers!
Find more resources like this at https://www.twinkl.com/l/zkxo5!
