Which material makes a good parachute/Lesson Document: Difference between revisions

Which material makes a good parachute?

Parachute investigations are always popular and engaging if framed well. A key issue is the means by which data are to be gathered. The height from which parachutes must be dropped is considerable in order for the length of time it takes to drop to be easily measurable by primary pupils, even at KS2. Help must be enlisted from another adult as supervising 30 primary pupils when balanced at the top of the wall bars is difficult and dangerous. If the school has appropriate technology, a motion sensor could be set up to trigger the stopping of the timer as the parachute touches the floor. If not, a discussion must take place as to the accuracy of human timings. For upper KS2 it is suggested that one variable is defined as the independent variable, for example, the size of the parachute or the material from which it is made. This could follow on from the investigation outlined in the activity sheet.