Since The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) incorporate engineering, I decided to present our fifth and sixth graders with the challenge to design a parachute using household materials. We first talked about how parachutes were actually used to slow down and land Apollo 11 in the water. We also talked about actual structures of parachutes, including good types of material, how they work, etc. I pulled up images of different types of parachutes and we noted that there were differences in shape, strings attached, and even the amounts of chutes connected to make one. After going over the different designs, I set them free with a piece of paper to draw their design. In order to get their materials, the blue-print drawing had to be labeled with exact measurements and materials. These initial drawings could be changed after production began, but I wanted their original designs to be thoughtful.
Production of these parachutes was a long and loud (ask some of my volunteers :) ) endeavor. There was lots of pretesting and going back to the drawing board. Finally launch day arrived. Although the kids hoped we'd get rooftop access, (right!) I determined that the highest and safest place to launch was the top of the primary slide structure. Volunteers acted as announcers, timers, recorders, accuracy checkers, and runners. Teams were vying for spots in the class-selected award categories of Slowest Decent, Most Accurate, Most Aerodynamic, and Coolest Looking. Winners received bragging rights. When all was said and done, the most complicated designs didn't necessarily work the best. The kids learned how to work with others, compromise on ideas, and see their own creations go from design to