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.    

• 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.​

How can we design an air drop parachute?

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. ​

• 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.​

• 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.​

• 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.

• Dan Swift:  Director of Engineering/Quality Assurance/Contract Administration, Mills Manufacturing Corporation,  22 Mills Place, Asheville, NC 28804
• Dan Bolden:  Quality Assurance Manager, Mills Manufacturing Corporation, 22 Mills Place, Asheville, NC 28804
• Mr Swift and Bolden Zoomed in classroom 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

• 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!"