String (8 pieces 30 cm in length) Ruler Stopwatch Paper Clip Tape Scissors Permanent Markers Variables: Test Variable (manipulated or independent variable): (dependent/responding variable): Outcome Variable Constant Variables (the variables) that stays the same): Teacher Procedures: Pass out the student lab sheet. Have a student volunteer read the problem statement aloud and direct students to make their own hypothesis. Make a class prediction three column table to record students’ hypothesis responses with one column for students who think the large parachute will descend slower, one for students who think the small parachute will descend slower, and one for students who think they will descent at the same rate. Discuss the three types of variables for the investigation with the class. Have students complete the Variables section on their lab sheet and share out their responses. Place students into groups and distribute the parachute materials to build each small and large parachutes. group’s Ask for the materials manager in each group to hold up the garbage bag. Tell students they will need to make one small square and one large square parachute using the plastic garbage bags and the rest of their materials. group’s Review and discuss the procedures with the students. Point out that the large square parachute canopy should have all sides 30 cm in length and the small square parachute canopy should have all sides 15 cm in length. Have students find and record the surface areas of their parachutes (calculate the surface area by multiplying (l x w) for both parachutes). Demonstrate to students how to attach the string to the garbage bag and tape with transparent tape. Then how to attach the 4 pieces of string to a large paper clip (load).
String (8 pieces 30 cm in length) Ruler Stopwatch Paper Clip Tape Scissors Permanent Markers Variables: Test Variable (manipulated or independent variable): Outcome Variable (dependent/responding variable): Constant Variables (the variables) that stays the same): Teacher Procedures: Pass out the student lab sheet. Have a student volunteer read the problem statement aloud and direct students to make their own hypothesis. Make a class prediction three column table to record students’ hypothesis responses with one column for students who think the large parachute will descend slower, one for students who think the small parachute will descend slower, and one for students who think they will descent at the same rate. Discuss the three types of variables for the investigation with the class. Have students complete the Variables section on their lab sheet and share out their responses. Place students into groups and distribute the parachute materials to build each group’s small and large parachutes. Ask for the materials manager in each group to hold up the garbage bag. Tell students they will need to make one small square and one large square parachute using the plastic garbage bags and the rest of their group’s materials. Review and discuss the procedures with the students. Point out that the large square parachute canopy should have all sides 30 cm in length and the small square parachute canopy should have all sides 15 cm in length. Have students find and record the surface areas of their parachutes (calculate the surface area by multiplying (l x w) for both parachutes). Demonstrate to students how to attach the string to the garbage bag and tape with transparent tape. Then how to attach the 4 pieces of string to a large paper clip (load).