Third-graders at Floral Park-Bellerose School practiced the design process by creating parachutes in science lab.

Under the guidance of science teachers Anne Hackford and Mary Goldberg, students were tasked with building a parachute that was capable of gliding through the air. First, they had to imagine what they would build and had to create a plan. Part of the process included selecting the materials they would use for construction. For the canopy, the choices were wax, computer or tissue paper, while the suspension lines could be created by using strings with a length of four, six or eight inches. Finally, each student determined whether they would use a small paper cup or basket to finish their parachute. Once construction was complete, students timed how long their parachutes would stay airborne. They then had an opportunity to make changes to improve their designs.

Once the improvements were made, students once again tested their parachutes and placed a small plastic animal figurine inside their baskets to see the difference in the airtime.

“Learning the design process allows students to come up with their own ideas, make their own choices and take ownership of their learning,” Goldberg said. “They are also having a lot of fun.”