Ask your students to bring in one plastic shopping bag and one penny for homework.
Purpose of the Lab:
To see if the size of the parachute affects the time it takes for the parachute to fall.
Lab Materials:
*penny
*string
*plastic bag
*marker
*ruler
*scissors
*tape
*timer
Procedures:
PART I:
Pairs of students will create two parachutes (1 large & 1 small).
PART II:
Test the parachutes, recording the data in the table and calculating the averages.
PART III:
Complete the analysis and conclusion.
I have done this lab about 15 times (thanks to block scheduling!) and each group of students have enjoyed it every time. It is a good lab to practice following lab procedures, working collaboratively with a partner, and recording/analyzing data. Finding the average of the drops to allow you to compare is a good math connection.
Disclaimer: I warn you to do the "parachute drops" (PART II) inside rather than outside. I have tried and tried again to have the students drop the parachutes outside, but every. single. time. I've tried, the wind (even a slight breeze) has affected the results.
3 comments:
Ohhhh fun experiment!!
I'm a new follower x
Daydreams of a Student Teacher
This looks great! Have you found the lab report yet? I sooo understand! :)
You found the lab report? This would be excellent to use in my math class. Please post it if you can find it. Thanks!
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