Science Lesson Kit · Teacher Resource
Parachute Engineering: How Air Resistance Slows a Fall — 5E Lesson Plan
Physical Science · 45 minutes
Grade 3
5E lesson flow
01
Engage
6 min
Teacher Does
Show two toy-sized canopy diagrams and introduce the safe classroom design task.
Students Do
Predict which descent may take longer.
Ask
- Does a wider canopy stop gravity?
Look For
Recognizes gravity remains present.
02
Explain
8 min
Teacher Does
Describe gravity and air resistance with an accurate force-direction picture.
Students Do
Explain why a wide open canopy may increase resistance.
Ask
- Which force can oppose downward motion?
Look For
Correct force-direction reasoning.
03
Build
11 min
Teacher Does
Provide safe thin paper, same-size toy loads and short strings.
Students Do
Build two canopy prototypes and compare dimensions.
Ask
- Which feature will you change?
Look For
Only canopy size changes.
04
Test
11 min
Teacher Does
Mark one standing release height and demonstrate unpushed releases.
Students Do
Perform three drops for each design and record times.
Ask
- Did each trial use the same conditions?
Look For
Data collection and fair test.
05
Reason
7 min
Teacher Does
Share separate sample times and discuss unusual wind-disturbed trials.
Students Do
Compare times and propose one redesign.
Ask
- Why is repeating helpful?
Look For
Evidence-based rather than appearance-based claim.
06
Reflect
2 min
Teacher Does
Collect a one-sentence exit ticket.
Students Do
Describe one necessary constant condition.
Ask
- What must remain the same?
Look For
Names load/height/release method.
Student goal
I can explain how air resistance affects a small parachute and compare two designs fairly using recorded drop times.
Learning objectives
- Describe gravity as a downward pull and air resistance as a force opposing a falling parachute.
- Test small and large canopies while keeping other conditions the same.
- Use repeated drop times to explain results and suggest an evidence-based improvement.
Materials
- Lightweight tissue paper or thin craft paper
- Precut square canopy templates of two sizes
- Short identical pieces of string
- Small identical toy loads such as paper clips
- Masking tape
- Timer
- Measuring tape
- Observation sheet
Before class
- Precut lightweight paper; avoid plastic bags around younger children.
- Use only tiny loads with no sharp edges.
- Choose a level uncluttered spot and mark a release height reachable while standing on the floor.
- Do not allow standing on chairs or tables, launching from windows or people using parachutes.
- Test whether canopies open reliably; prepare sample data if needed.
Safety & supervision
Review these precautions before students begin the investigation. Follow your school's safety procedures.
- Never jump with a parachute or build one for a person.
- Never stand on chairs, tables or high places.
- Use only small light toy loads; keep landing area clear.
- Avoid plastic-bag canopies, sharp loads and windy corridors.
Prior knowledge
- Gravity pulls objects toward Earth.
- Moving objects can speed up or slow down.
Vocabulary
- gravity
- A pulling force that attracts objects toward Earth.
- air resistance
- A force from air that opposes an object's motion through it.
- canopy
- The wide top part of a parachute that catches air.
- prototype
- An early model made to test and improve a design.
- fair test
- A comparison that changes one factor while holding other conditions alike.
- trial
- One repeated attempt to test a design.
Differentiation
- Offer ready-cut paper with equal-length strings.
- Use a three-trial record with visual clocks.
- Let children explain force arrows orally before writing.
- Extend by proposing a redesigned shape while holding all other factors constant.
Assessment
- Check that load, height and release method are controlled.
- Check comparisons use recorded times in three trials.
- Require at least one supported redesign idea.
- Confirm pupils understand the toy parachute is not for people.
Exit ticket
Name one feature to change and two to hold constant when testing a small parachute.
Extension
Plot the three drop times for each design in a labeled bar chart and explain any irregular trial.