Parachute Showdown

Students may choose from any of the materials provided; not all are required.

• Various types of paper (e.g. copy paper, construction paper, tissue paper)
• Plastic shopping bags
• String
• Tape
• Hole punch
• Weighted object (e.g. paper clips, counting bears)
• Stopwatch

Objective: Build a parachute that falls as slowly as possible.

1. Divide into groups of two.
2. Design and assemble a parachute using the available materials. Construction must include a weighted object suspended from the parachute.
3. Drop the parachute from a set height (e.g. chair, ladder or upper floor) and time how long it takes for each parachute to land.
4. Record and compare times across teams.

• Explore how weight, surface area and different materials affect the parachute drop.
• Have students try different materials for improved results.