Bear Exploration Center
Magnet Curriculum
2025-2026
5th Grade: Miss. Gaddis
Parachute Plummet
5th Grade: Miss. Gaddis
Parachute Plummet
Grade Level -5th
Content Area- Science
Standard: 5.6
ALCOS- Science (Design and conduct a test to modify the speed of an object falling due to gravity. Example: constructing a parachute to slow the speed of a falling object.)
Objective:
Students can demonstrate that Earth’s gravity pulls objects toward the center of Earth.
Project Overview:
In this STEM project, students worked collaboratively to design and build a functional parachute using simple materials such as paper towels, string, tape, and small paperclip to hold as a weight. Acting as engineers, they investigated how the forces of gravity and air resistance influence the speed and movement of falling objects. Through experimentation, observation, and redesign, students applied scientific principles to create a parachute prototype that demonstrated a clear understanding of force, motion, and engineering design.
Here you can see two videos of students testing out their parachute once it was created.