Students can learn how surface area affects air resistance by creating parachutes. Ask students to cut out squares of different sizes from garbage bags. They may tie strings to each corner and attach the other end of the string to a washer. Students can experiment with these parachutes by dropping them and recording the time it takes to reach the ground. They can experiment with several different variables, such as a string length, string weight, height dropped and shape of parachute to see how they affect the drop time.
Students can enjoy learning about friction using a small toy car, string and pennies. Students can attach one end of a piece of string to a toy car and the other to a small plastic bag. Students will then place the car on a flat, raised surface, such as a table, and allow the bag to hang off the table. Students can place pennies into the bag, counting until the car moves. Students can experiment again by placing the car on a piece of sandpaper and again counting the pennies it takes to move the car. Experimenting with various surfaces, such as rubber and plastic, will demonstrate friction in action.
Creating a roller coaster using pipe insulation will teach students about potential energy, kinetic energy, gravity and slope. Students can build their roller coaster using foam pipe insulation that has been cut to form a U shape. Students can use scissors and tape to build their design, which must consist of a ramp with a loop at the end. Students can then experiment with how high the ramp must be for a marble to make it through the loop. As they experiment with different heights, students will learn how slope affects the ability to travel through a loop.
Allowing students to create a parachute designed to protect an egg will teach about gravity and encourage teamwork and creativity. Students can be asked to work as a group to build a parachute that will safely transport an egg to the ground from two stories above. Materials such as poster board, cardboard, Styrofoam, string, tape, glue, cotton, toilet paper and garbage bags can all be used. After the parachutes are built, they may be tested by dropping them from the second floor of a building and observing which eggs survive the fall.