Floating Parachutes

In the Floating Parachutes unit, designed for grades 2-3, students are introduced to a real-world problem: a toy inventor's parachute falls too quickly, causing the ball it carries to tumble out of the cup. It's up to the class to figure out why and design a safer solution.

Through five hands-on, standards-aligned investigations, students explore how parachutes slow a fall. They compare how flat and crumpled paper fall at different speeds, test seed-inspired paper flyers to see how shape affects movement, and tinker with parachute models by changing one part of the system at a time. Just like scientists, they ask questions, carry out fair tests, collect data on drop times, and notice patterns. They see how unbalanced forces affect motion: gravity pulls objects down, air pushes back to create drag, and even small changes affect how slowly and safely a parachute falls.

In the final five lessons, students work through the Engineering Design Process to design and build their own toy parachutes that can float through the air for two seconds or more. Just like engineers, they brainstorm solutions, sketch ideas, build prototypes, and then test, refine, and present their creations. The final parachutes–built from paper, plastic bags, cups, string, and index cards–showcase how scientific understanding and creativity combine in imaginative, functional designs.

What’s included:

Digital Curriculum (approx. 10 hours of instruction):

• Slide-based lessons with embedded media and clear instructions 

• Printable Student Worksheets

• Easy-to-Use Teacher Notes 

• Materials Management Information 

1 Material Kit with materials for up to 30 students:

• Paratrooper Toys

• Ping Pong Balls

• Cups

• Bendy Straws

• Small Coffee Filter

• Medium Coffee Filter

• Large Coffee Filter

• Index Cards

• Pipe Cleaners

• Strings

• Plastic Bags

• Paper Plates

• Storage Bags

Items not included but needed to complete the unit:

• Scissors

• Masking Tape

• Pencils

• Markers

• Optional: Fabric, Newspaper, or other parachute materials from home

Contains small parts. Choking Hazard. Ages 3+

Grade/Age Group: 

• Lower Elementary (K-2nd Grade)

• Ages 5+

Subject:

• Science

• Engineering 

• Maker

• Art