Make and Test a Parachute
Participants will construct a small parachute and then record the time it takes to drop from a known height with different amounts of weight. The instructor will then guide them through a STEM activity to plot the test results, estimate the parachute drag coefficient, and extrapolate to predict the drop time for a much larger parachute.
Construct and Learn to Fly a Paper Airplane
Participants will construct a paper airplane, weighted with paper clips. As they launch their planes under guidance from the instructor, they will learn how flight control surfaces affect aircraft behavior, and what happens when the aircraft balance is changed.