Curated OER
Paper Parachutes
Pupils participate in a simulation of a parachute-jump competition by making paper parachutes and then dropping them towards a target on the floor. They measure the distance from the point where the paper parachute lands compared to the...
NASA
Oh, Chute!
Using a scare model of the a test vehicle developed by the Systems Architecture and Integration Office at NASA, groups determine the dimensions for a scale model of the parachute compartment. The groups also determine the volume of the...
Teach Engineering
Six Minutes of Terror
Help your class understand the design challenges when trying to land a remote spacecraft on a planet. Class members examine the provided information to understand how each component of a spacecraft is designed in order to safely land a...
Mr Gym
Nuke Walk
Take a look at this cooperative learning activity. The goal of the activity is to transport nuclear waste (a cup of water) from point A to point B without spilling the toxic waste. There are several ideas given here for things to use to...
Curated OER
Mars Pathfinder Egg Drop and Landing
Students construct a pathfinder that could land an egg safely. In this physics activity, students explain the factors affecting the dynamics of falling objects. They evaluate their pathfinder design.
Curated OER
Circus Time
Students read books, learn about the letter c, and eat roasted peanuts all to learn about the circus. In this circus lesson plan, students also use design their own tickets and have parachute play.
Curated OER
Drop Zone! Design and Test a Probe
Students work together to develop their own parachuting probe. They test it and record the results. They simulate other experiments that are going to be carried out by the Huygens probe.
Curated OER
Parachutes And Parafoils
Pupils study deceleration devices like parachutes and parafoils.
Curated OER
What Makes Airplanes Fly?
Students examine force and conduct activities that model parachutes and helicopters. In this airplanes activity students identify the forces that make airplanes fly higher and land.
Curated OER
Learning Students Names
Students design a name tag to post on a wall chart. Teacher uses the name tags to learn student names.
Curated OER
Gravity Lesson
Fifth graders study the effects of mass on gravity. In this gravity lesson, 5th graders make model parachutes and helicopters in order to apply the scientific process and find out the effects of mass on drops of the 2 objects.
Curated OER
MARS Dead or Alive
Pupils describe the design and construction of the Mars Exploration Rovers (MERs). They imagine that they can visit Mars and think about what they want to find out about the planet. The review the solar system and discuss distances...
Curated OER
Whirlybirds
Students measure to the nearest centimeter, and predict the frequency of an event. In this statistics lesson, students participate in a simulation of a parachute jump competition by making paper Whirlybirds, and then dropping them...
Curated OER
The Incredible Light Bulb-Egg Drop Challenge
Students examine how spacecraft land on Mars. Using eggs or lightbulbs, they design a craft that withstand a drop from a table or ladder, competing in groups to see which module demonstrates the most successful landing.
Curated OER
Ghostbusters
Students pretend that they are all ghosts. They must ride on their gluts on their scooter. They then pick 2-4 taggers, also known as ghostbusters. They also ride on their gluts but hold a "tagging wand". When students get tagged they...
Curated OER
Space Capsules:The Egg-stronaut Egg Drop
Students brainstorm the factors affecting the speed at which a space capsule reaches the surface of a planet or moon and suggest how engineers might deal with each factor. They then create a model which is dropped from a high point...
Curated OER
The Drag of Drag
Students are told that any object moving through a fluid (air, water, molasses, etc) experience a drag force which oppose the motion. They are given the summarized version of drag which is proportional to the square of the velocity....
Curated OER
Ditto - A Cooperative Game
Students, in groups, first build/design something using equipment given. Then students write a detailed description of what they built. After all groups are finished they switch directions and try to build the other teams design by...
Curated OER
How Do Things Fall?
Students observe falling objects. They discover the rate of falling is based on air resistance and not the weight of the objects. They discuss how engineers use this type of information to design aerodynamic shapes.
Curated OER
Bottle Rocket Lesson
Students design a rocket that stays on air for the longest period of time. For this physics lesson, students research the function of different rocket components. They test their design and make necessary modifications.
Curated OER
Adequate Standard of Living: Children's Rights
Pupils and parents participate in a variety of activities designed to explore the issue of every person's right to adequate housing. They make butter, make models of different types of housing, read books, discuss the rights and...
Curated OER
Destination Outer Space
Students investigate space travel. In this space travel lesson students examine space exploration history, engineers and scientists involved in space exploration, and Newton's third law of motion. Students make rockets.
Workforce Solutions
Egg-streme Sports
Challenge small groups to build a structure that catches a raw egg without breaking—working collaboratively and applying mathematical and engineering principles. Pretending the frame was made by a business, scholars create a marketing...
Curated OER
Aviation, Aeronautics and Aerodynamics
Learners investigate the physics of flight through various experiments. In this physics lesson, students construct different flying objects. They explain the dynamics that make these object fly.