STEM Drag Device Parachute Challenge (Digital & Printed STEM Journals)

lesson overview

Drag Device STEM Parachute Activity

Students use the engineering design process and explore the forces of gravity and air resistance to design a drag device to slow down a payload. This challenge uses a ping pong ball to represent a rover landing on Mars. The rover must remain inside an uncovered cup during drop and impact testing.

This hands-on activity is an engaging design challenge that allows students to work in teams, apply the engineering design process, and connect math topics to real-world applications. As a student-driven assignment, the purpose of the teacher is to act as a facilitator. You will provide the structure to the project, but students will take an active role in designing and building a device to deposit a rover into the lunar crater. Our students have loved this activity, and we know yours will too!

This packet includes:

• Detailed teachers guide with links to resources

• Editable teacher instruction slides

• Student handouts to guide them through the design process

• Editable Google Slides STEM Journal for distance learning

• Student recording sheet for each step of the process

• Math connection problems include average and speed calculations, surface area, and unit conversions.

Recommended Materials:

• Tissue paper

• Dixie cups

• String

• Cardstock

• Masking tape

• Scotch tape

• Ping Pong ball

• Trash bags

• Ping Pong ball

Looking for more STEM lessons? Find the Vivify resource guide here: bit.ly/VivifyResourceGuide

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