Launch
Students will launch the parachute investigation by experiencing real-world flight STEM, making first observations about forces and airflow, and building a shared foundation for fair testing, question generation, and evidence-focused teamwork.
Days 1 - 2
✈️ Careers in Flight Kickoff
Launch 45m
🪂 First-Draft Parachute Test
Deliverable 45m
Force Mystery Inquiry
Students will investigate a puzzling parachute-and-airflow effect, turn observations into testable questions, and build a fair-test plan with clear variables, measurement methods, and predictions recorded in shared field notes before formal data collection begins.
Days 3 - 8
🌬️ Fan Tunnel Mystery Notes
Launch 40m
🪂 Forces and Fluid Mini-Lab
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
❓ Parachute Question Sort
Research 45m
📏 Fair Test Planning Board
Knowledge/Skill Building 50m
🗂️ Method Critique Gallery Walk
Deliverable 45m
✅ Investigation Plan Checkpoint
Assessment 40m
Test Data Record
Students will run controlled parachute trials, document methods and conditions in a traceable investigation log, check the quality of their measurements, organize results into tables and graphs, and use peer and teacher feedback to strengthen the evidence they will analyze in the next phase.
Days 9 - 13
📏 Trial Quality Check Routines
Knowledge/Skill Building 35m
🪂 Controlled Parachute Trial Set 1
Project Work 45m
📊 Data Table and Graph Draft
Knowledge/Skill Building 40m
🔍 Logbook Peer Review Round
Deliverable 35m
🧪 Controlled Parachute Trial Set 2
Assessment 45m
Explain Patterns Findings
Students will turn their parachute test records into clear evidence by graphing results, spotting patterns and outliers, comparing designs, drafting supported conclusions, and revising their explanations for the Wind Tunnel Wonder Expo.
Days 14 - 18
📊 Parachute Data Graph Studio
Knowledge/Skill Building 45m
🌬️ Forces and Fluid Evidence Talk
Knowledge/Skill Building 40m
🧪 Claim-Reasoning Comparison Chart
Project Work 45m
📝 Expo Conclusion Draft Round
Deliverable 45m
🎤 Wind Tunnel Explanation Checkpoint
Assessment 45m
Showcase
Students will present their parachute investigation to an authentic audience, defend their design choices with data, connect their findings to forces, airflow, and STEM careers, and complete a final reflection on evidence, uncertainty, and revision.
Days 19 - 20
🎪 Wind Tunnel Wonder Expo
Community Experience 45m
📝 Flight Findings Reflection
Assessment 45m