Decide on the best explanation. As pairs or groups, challenge the pupils to design and make parachutes from several different materials. Have them gather the materials they will need, eg plastic bags, cloth, plasticine, nylon chord, string etc. What do they think will be the most important aspect to maximise the time in the air. After designing their parachutes have class discuss a control situation that will give a fair test of the parachute to test the best group design.
Pupils now present their results to the class and use the parachutes to back up their results .
Extension Activities Have each group choose one of their designs to enter into the following class challenges. They may change their parachute depending upon the challenge but may not change it during the challenge. Making the parachute hit a target on the ground. Distance races using the wind. Investigate seeds that move in the wind just like a parachute.