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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.

Budget levels

Materials list coming soon to members

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Quick Start

Digital downloads only. $0 to buy. Printing is noted separately.

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one class period, one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one class period on a single day.

Scale back: Fit it into a shorter period, use fewer effects, or run a demo instead of a build.

Scale up: Add one extra effect, or spread the share-out across another day.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

Full Experience

Up to $25 per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one school day.

Scale back: Fit the build into one period with fewer effects.

Scale up: Spread the work across days, or add more effects.

Total Transformation

The bigger kit, priced per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day (one session, one-day event).

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one session, a one-day event.

Scale back: Shorten the event, or run a demo for a smaller audience.

Scale up: Spread the build and the event across days, or invite a bigger audience.

Choose your version

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

Student time: 30 min, one class periodTeacher prep / build-ahead: 13 min$0 to buy. Printing noted separately.One 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.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

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.

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change.

As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

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 mapped

  • 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.