English National Curriculum - Science Science

2. Examine the connection between air resistance and parachutes

Mission Objectives

Understand how air resistance acts on objects

Design and test parachutes, using averages to get more accurate results

Draw an accurate diagram of the forces acting on a parachute and explain their purpose

Rocket Words Quiz

See if you know all the meanings of the rocket words

Assessment Quiz

Test your knowledge of this lesson

Word Search Game

Find all the rocket words in the grid

Keywords

Words and meanings to learn

Galileo Galilei

an Italian scientist and the first astronomer

air resistance

friction which acts between the air and another object

parachute

a device, usually made from cloth, designed to create air resistance and slow the descent

opposing

to act against

streamlined

shape or design of an object so it travels through the air with as little resistance as possible

Sponsored by

Rolls Royce SMR

This lesson has been written by

Heather Bingham

Heather qualified with a first-class honours degree in climate science from the University of East Anglia. Since, she has joined Developing Experts as a writer and presenter, specialising in earth and environmental sciences.

She is also an internationally published science author, having written a series of CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) digital textbooks aimed at improving learners’ understanding of English whilst igniting an interest in science.

Clare Faulkner

Clare is an experienced primary school teacher, having worked across both Key Stage 1 and Early Years. Before joining Developing Experts, Clare worked as a Quality Assurance Inspector for a childcare agency, following OFSTED's inspection criteria. Clare is passionate about education and ensuring children's learning is exciting and fun!

In her spare time, Clare is also a mother of two very active children and lots of animals! She enjoys a variety of sports and loves the outdoors!

Dr Shannon Weldon

Shannon started her journey with Developing Experts by completing PHD placement while studying for her Doctorate in Developmental Biology at the University of East Anglia. Shannon has since joined the team full-time as a Project Manager working with the company's industry partners. Shannon knows a lot about chickens!

Sarah Mintey MBE

Sarah is a former headteacher and charity CEO who founded Developing Experts in October 2015 with the goal to create a fit-for-purpose curriculum for schools. The company has created a science curriculum for children ages 4-16 which is delivered through sequenced lessons mapped against the National Curriculum in biology, chemistry, and physics. Developing Expert's innovative approach to learning has already been road-tested and voted 'best EdTech product in Europe', winning Tech Nation’s Rising Stars earlier in 2019 and a place on Google for Startups Immersion program 2020. In 2022 Developing Experts won the BETT Awards for Best Classroom Resource - Teaching Aid. Sarah is a 'LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leader' 2022. In October 2022 Developing Experts joined Tech Nation's Upscale 8.0 programme.

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Sarah was awarded an MBE for her services to tech and education in 2020. 

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Katie is the Chief Operating Officer at DE, which means she oversees HR, finance and our business model. After studying Drama at Exeter University, Katie spent three years as a primary teacher, before relocating to Norfolk and joining Developing Experts. 

In her spare time, Katie likes to sing with Norwich Harmony barbershop chorus and has recently formed a quartet. Katie loves cooking and spending time with her husband, Bryan and dog, Bertie. She has an endearing laugh, which has to be heard to be believed. Many of us see Katie as the office 'Mum', she gives great hugs and keeps our spirits up.  

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Required Resources

Resources: A feather, a tennis balls, small plastic toys/weights, stopwatches, a variety of materials to test (e.g. different types of papers, plastic bags and bin bags), rulers, a hole punch, string and calculators.

Core Handout (2): Investigation sheet for children to record their predictions, fair testing, results and conclusions.

Stretch Handout (3): Children are asked to draw a diagram of a parachute's descent with labelled arrows showing the forces acting on the parachute. They are then asked to explain the purpose of a parachute.  

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Exemplar Work

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Air resistance

Air resistance

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Making parachutes

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