At a Glance:
Students construct a parachute from simple materials then test its effectiveness.
Concepts: Students learn that aerodynamic drag, which is often the enemy of moving vehicles, is actually what makes a parachute work. A secondary concept is how technology is used for human safety.
Details: Using the included pattern, students cut out 12 gores from folded tissue paper. The gores are glued together to form the canopy of a parachute. Then, students measure and cut twelve 24-inch lengths of string. They attach one to each seam of the canopy with cellophane tape to create the parachute's shroud lines. The ends of the shroud lines are grouped and tied together. A binder clip is tied to the ends of the shroud lines to serve as a bridle, the device to which loads can be attached. For easy release of the parachute, a short string can also be taped to the top of the canopy.
To understand the deceleration effect of the parachute, students release the parachute from a height and time its descent using Pitsco's Drop Zone or a stopwatch. They compare the results to the descent time of a binder clip that is not attached to a parachute.
At a Glance:
Students construct a parachute from simple materials then test its effectiveness.
