Fall STEM Activity: Ghost Parachute Drop Challenge (FALL04) | Physics

👻 Fall STEM Activity: Ghost Parachute Drop Challenge (FALL04) Master air resistance, drag forces, and terminal velocity! The Ghost Parachute Drop Challenge (FALL04) challenges middle school student teams to act as aerospace engineers, designing a lightweight ghost parachute out of tissue paper or plastic and string to slow down payload descent from a 2.5-meter drop. Students explore air resistance (drag), terminal velocity equilibrium, canopy surface area dynamics, stability venting, and average velocity calculations (v = d / t)! 📦 What is Included in This 3-Page Packet: Page 1: Teacher Guide & Lesson Plan: NGSS alignment (MS-PS2-2, MS-ETS1-2), target science concepts, and material setup guide. Expected student outcomes, answer keys, and math troubleshooting tips. Perfect for your TGM Product Preview! Page 2: Student Mission Card & Blueprint: Real-world aerospace engineering scenario hook. Clear material limits box (plastic/tissue canopy, string, ghost payload, tape, max air-time rule). Dedicated Ghost Parachute Canopy & Vector Schematic sketching zone. Page 3: Testing Log & Scientific Reflection: Structured Data Testing Table: Track canopy surface area, suspension line length, drop height, and hang-time in seconds across 3 trials. Applied Math Connection: Calculate average descent speed (m/s) across testing trials. Physics Reflection Questions: Analyze atmospheric drag forces, canopy geometry stability, and terminal velocity equilibrium. 📐 Core STEM Skills Covered: Aerospace Engineering & Fluid Resistance Physics Terminal Velocity, Air Resistance Drag & Canopy Surface Area Mechanics Data Logging, Precision Timing (s), and Descent Speed Math Calculations (m/s) Suspension Line Balance and Structural Flight Stability Optimization 💡 Why Teachers Love This Resource: 3-Page Professional Layout: Includes a complete Page 1 Teacher Guide for seamless prep, keeping student lab sheets clean and ready to print! Low-Cost Materials: Uses simple plastic trash bags or tissue paper, string/yarn, tape, and a stopwatch. High-Impact Physics Lab: Makes drag force equations and terminal velocity concepts visual, measurable, and highly engaging for Grades 6-8! Format: High-resolution, print-ready PDF format (3 Pages).