Slow It Down

Per Person Team:

• 5 sheets of paper (8.5×11 inch)
• 1 index card (3×5 inch)
• 4 paper clips
• Scotch tape
• Scissors
• Sketch book
• Timer

When engineers design parachutes or hot air balloons, they use air resistance, also known as drag, to slow down the descent in order to land gently in a specific location.

1. Identify the Problem
   • The most critical step of any engineering challenge is to understand the problem you are trying to solve.
   • How can you design an aircraft that uses drag to land as slowly as possible onto a target?
   • Here are the specs:
     • Your aircraft must be dropped from a height of at least six feet.
     • It must land within the target area that you mark on the floor.
       • A reasonable target is a circle of 36-inch diameter, but you can change the size to make it more or less challenging.
2. Brainstorm Designs
   • What do objects that fall gently and relatively slowly have in common? Think about feathers, maple seeds or balloons – are there clues in their shape or weight?
   • Experiment with your materials and maybe sketch some ideas to help determine your best design for building.
   • Ask yourself:
     • How might you fold your paper to slow its fall? How do the locations of the paper folds make a difference?
     • Do you think your aircraft would drop more slowly or quickly if it is designed to spin? Try it out!
     • Can you use paper clips to stabilize the falling aircraft’s pathway into the target?
3. Build and Test Your Design
   • When you start building your aircraft, you can test it along the way by dropping it from lower heights.
   • When you’re ready for the 6-foot drop, get a timer and take a few test flights.
     • Time each fall and note how close to the target your aircraft falls.
4. Make Changes and Try Again
   • Did your aircraft fall like you thought it would? Are there improvements you can make to increase the amount of time it takes?
   • Redesign your aircraft and test again!
5. Share Your Results with a teacher, parent/guardian, or DiscoverE
   • Share photos or a video of your aircraft in action!
   • Send to DiscoverE at social@DiscoverE.org or post on Instagram/Twitter using the hashtag #DiscoverEChallenge and tag us @DiscoverEOrg