Parachute Design Unit

Velocity Can Be Terminal?

Challenge: Design a parachute that will safely deliver its cargo to the ground according to the following constraints:

*The parachute must be made from the materials provided or materials you provide that are approved by the instructor.

*The parachute must obtain a constant velocity before it lands.

*The parachute must safely deliver the cargo (to be determined by the instructor) when dropped from a height of 12 feet.

Learning Goals*You will collect, analyze, and interpret data and you will

be able to use this data to make design decisions, specifically for designing a parachute.

*You will be able to compose detailed sketches of possible designs that effectively communicate the design’s intent and use these sketches to make prototypes and the final product.

*You will be able to evaluate your preliminary design, and you will be able to design and execute an evaluation plan to evaluate your prototype models.

*You will know how to predict problems in final production by creating prototype models of your designs.

*You will know how a team works together in construction, and you will be able to construct your parachute and evaluate it for the design constraints.

Phase 1- Identify the Need & Research

Restate the purpose of the design challenge.*What does the prototype have to do to be

successful?

Research:*What is the main purpose of parachutes?

*What forces will be acting on the parachute?*Include a definition of air resistance.

*Include a force diagram

*What is terminal velocity?

Phase 1- Identify the Need & Research

Research:*How does the size and shape of the parachute affect its fall?

*How do the weights and properties of different materials affect the way they behave?

*How do the number, placement, and type of supports affect the effectiveness of the parachute?

*The plan should consider how the load will be attached.

Phase 2- Develop Possible Solutions

Considerations:*Brainstorm many ideas and pick three that your team likes best.

*The load will be attached with a D ring. Your design must include how you will attach the parachute to the D ring.

*The cargo must land safely.

Phase 2- Develop Possible SolutionsConsiderations:

*Prepare three sketches of possible parachute designs.*Include rough dimensions.

*Include notes on fasteners, attachments, and construction ideas.

*PRODUCT: Three sketches

Phase 3- Choose the Best Solution*Explain why you choose the model you did

*Give 3 reasons. *Give several complete sentences that gives the teacher enough information to understand your choice.

*Use proper grammar, spelling and punctuation

Phase 3- Choose the Best Solution*Design a plan for evaluating the prototype (procedure)*Design tests to ensure your design is valid,

reliable, and possible.

*Determine how you will record your findings.

*PRODUCTS:*Document: Reason you choose the model

you did.

*Document: Evaluation Plan

Phase 4- Test and Evaluate the SolutionConstruct a prototype of your parachute.*Execute the designed tests and record the results

*Update all sketches and drawings to show the results of the prototype testing.

PRODUCTS: Document consisting of Data-Recording Tool, Prototype of parachute

Phase 5- Building and EvaluationConstruct your parachute by following and amending the Build Plan.

*Upon completion of construction we will evaluate your parachute according to the design constraints.

PRODUCTS:

*Finished parachute.

*Document: Analysis of parachute fall.

Phase 6 – Presentation

Present your parachute to the class.*Display and explain your findings.

*Explain the choices you made and the challenges you faced.