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                         Operation Supply Drop
                                
by:  Christina Marvin
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OVERVIEW:


This project uses parachute designs to explore/use principles of the Science and Engineering Practices while learning about gravity.  This project is a 3-4 week project.    

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  • 5-PS2-1. Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.
  • 3-5-ETS1-3.  Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
  • 3-5-ETS1-1.  Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
  • MS-PS2-1.  Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.* 
  • MS-PS2-2.  Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.​
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How can we design an air drop parachute?
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  • Fair Test Trials: Students conducted fair tests to determine the effectiveness of different elements on a parachute.  Example: string length, string type, canopy material, and canopy size. ​
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  • Students were able to question and learn from Mr. Bolden at Mills Manufacturing.
  • Students were able to “drop supplies” to soldiers all over the world.​
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  • Students designed and dropped a parachute from a Pressbox.  The design was a collaboration based on previous tests and students had the goal of not breaking an egg.
  • Each successful drop was linked to two  prepackaged snack donations. Each unsuccessful drop was linked to one prepackaged snack donation.
  • Donations were boxed and sent to active duty service members around the world.​
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  • Students chose the design elements they wanted to test.  
  • Students designed their final parachutes in groups of 3-4. Students also brought in their own supplies to build the parachutes.  
  • Students wrote and asked their own questions of our expert from Mills Manufacturing.
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  • Dan Swift:  Director of Engineering/Quality Assurance/Contract Administration, Mills Manufacturing Corporation
  • Dan Bolden:  Quality Assurance Manager, Mills Manufacturing 
  • Mr. Swift and Mr. Boldenthe joined  class multiple times to answer questions about how parachutes are made, how different parachutes are used, and what design principles make a good parachute.
        ​STUDENT REFLECTIONS
     
     "I liked how this project made us work together as a group to figure things out.  I also like that we got to build stuff and make tweaks to it as we learned."  ~Nola
     "I had so much fun with this project that I brought it home and built parachutes with my little sister.  It also boosted my creativity and made me think like an engineer.  ~Chase   
     "It was very fun and it also helped people know about gravity and science!" ~Alexis
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  • Students reflected on parachute design ideas by taking feedback from other groups and adjusting their designs.
  • Students reflected on the data collected during the “fair tests” phase to decide on the final elements for their own designs.
  • Students wrote thank you notes to all the members of the school and community that made our project possible.​
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  • Project planner link
  • Project template 
  • Project sequence link 
  • Project Photos 
  • Project outline                                                             

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Meet the Educator:
Christina Marvin teaches 5th grade Science at Reeths-Puffer Intermediate School. 

     "Operation Supply Drop is the best way to start my year! It is so amazing to watch students working collaboratively to become experts on a science topic while impacting the lives of our troops!"  "Months later, this project is still bringing smiles and special moments to people all over the world!"  
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  • Home
  • Who We Are
  • PBL Experiences
    • ELE PBL Experiences
    • MS PBL Experiences
    • HS PBL Experiences
  • Resources
  • Protocol Examples
  • Community / Industry Partners