11YO: Science - Force, Motion and Fields

The 11-year-old science students were recently studying the role of friction in the motion of objects. They tested plastic parachutes of 4 different sizes to quantify the effects of friction (air resistance, a type of fluid friction). This lab allowed them to have the opportunity to collect data, find averages, and draw conclusions on how the size of the parachute affects the time it takes for the parachute to descend to the floor. The students learned the importance of repeated trials in collecting data as well as the importance of ensuring that each trial was conducted the same way (controlled experiment). The students collected their data and discussed their findings. This lab was part of our unit on Forces, Motion, and Fields.