At-Home STEM Activities: Build and Test Your Own Parachute
Parachutes are important because they create drag on a falling object. All object fall to the ground at the same rate. If a human jumped out of an airplane without a parachute, they would hit the ground at too fast a rate to survive. Parachutes collect the air as the person falls to create more drag and slow the person down as they head towards the ground. In this activity you will make your own parachute and test your design to see if it falls safely to the ground.
Distance Learning Module: Types of Flight
This week we’re looking at different aspects of flight and ways that we can explore those at home.
Our world is full of things that fly! Birds, bats, insects, and other animals have bodies that allow them to soar, glide, and buzz through the air. Humans achieve air travel through all types of vehicles: jets and airplanes, helicopters, blimps, gliders, and even hot air balloons. In this module, we’ll break down the big topic of aviation and aerospace engineering by exploring the different types of flight and categories of human-made aircraft.
Note: Adult supervision is required for today’s hands-on activity, which involves flame!