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Instructions
- Introduce the challenge and note that students can’t cover the cup to keep the ball inside as part of their design.
- Discuss two ways that engineers ensure that a container lands safely after falling from a great height:
Parachutes slow the fall of the container via air trapped in the canopy, the fabric that puffs out into a balloon shape.- Shock absorbers lessen the impact upon landing. Demonstrate one type of shock absorber by folding an index card (use an accordion fold), compressing it, and allowing it to decompress. Note that their own bodies act similarly when they jump off a step: they bend their back and knees to absorb some of the energy and break the fall. Ask students to jump up and down and notice how their body acts like a spring.
- Organize students into pairs and tell them to come up with a design on paper for their device.
- Distribute supplies, show students where optional supplies are located, and tell them to build their safe landing device.
- Test each design by dropping it starting at 1 foot. If the device fails, tell the pair to redesign and try again. If the device succeeds, try dropping it from greater heights.
Parachutes slow the fall of the container via air trapped in the canopy, the fabric that puffs out into a balloon shape.
Organize students into pairs and tell them to come up with a design on paper for their device.
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