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EngineeringScienceMath

Rescue Helicopter Drop

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Grades K-230-45 minSource: Creative Dad Company

Kids design a parachute or glider that can carry a supply package safely down to a target. It's an exciting engineering challenge that ends in an official rescue mission.

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Every level teaches the same core idea — pick the one that fits your time, budget, and energy today.

Prep: 13 minActivity: 30 min1 session~$2/groupOne table or clear floor areaBeginner-friendly

Setup

Gather only common or recycled items needed to build a parachute or glider device to carry the supply package down safely. Place the materials beside a simple recording sheet or blank paper, and prepare the Rescue Helicopter Drop challenge in one working area; no digital device is needed.

Activity

  1. Define what a successful drop looks like and predict what shape will slow a falling package the most.
  2. Build a parachute or glider device to carry the supply package down safely.
  3. Test drops from a height and discover the package misses the target or falls too fast, then adjust the design.
  4. Complete an official rescue drop landing the supply package right on the target.

Done when: The learner completes Rescue Helicopter Drop after carrying out this core test: Test drops from a height and discover the package misses the target or falls too fast, then adjust the design. The learner then uses that result to complete the final task: Complete an official rescue drop landing the supply package right on the target.

Materials

Paper, tape, a small toy figure or bottle cap as supply, string, a target mat

Shown for the Quick Start version — switch tabs above to see what changes.

Disclosure: Materials links below go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Steps

  1. Define what a successful drop looks like and predict what shape will slow a falling package the most.
  2. Build a parachute or glider device to carry the supply package down safely.
  3. Test drops from a height and discover the package misses the target or falls too fast, then adjust the design.
  4. Complete an official rescue drop landing the supply package right on the target.

Standards it satisfies

  • NGSS · K-2-ETS1-1

    Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through development of a new or improved object or tool.