Year 5 · Autumn 1.1 · Step 4

Earth & Space

Investigate — parachute experiment

Carrying out the fair test: at least three sizes, same height, timed in parts of a second, repeated.

Arrival Starter I do We do Independent Exit ticket
🌱 Seedling · Working towards 🌿 Sapling · Expected 🌳 Oak · Greater depth

⏱ Whole lesson ≈ 44 min · pick a tier in the bar, or leave on "All"

Arrival 4 min

Recap of last lesson: the plan & variables.

Recap: our plan

🌱 Seedling
Working towards

We change the ____ and measure the ____.

🌿 Sapling
Expected
  1. Name our independent variable.
  2. Name our dependent variable.
  3. Name one controlled variable.
🌳 Oak
Greater depth

How could we make our results more reliable — that is, more likely to repeat?

Bridge into todayThe plan is set. Today we carry out the test carefully and record accurate results.
Starter 5 min

Practise the stopwatch: start, stop, reset to zero.

Measuring carefully

Use at least three parachute sizes. Time in parts of a second (whole seconds are too rough). Drop from the same height every time.

🌱 Seedling
Working towards

Show me: start, stop, reset the stopwatch.

🌿 Sapling
Expected

Why time in parts of a second rather than whole seconds?

🌳 Oak
Greater depth

Why repeat each size and take an average? What does that improve?

I do · 1 6 min

Teacher models a clean drop and how to record it, then watch the science.

Run the test well

▶ Can't see it? Watch "Air resistance — Year 5 Forces" on YouTube

Swap the clip: change the ID after /embed/ (now x6ovQErh4Mw).

Say thisDrop from the same height, start the stopwatch as you release, stop it as it lands. Record in a table. Repeat each size and take an average so results are reliable.
⏱️
Time in s.ssparts of a second
📏
Same heightevery drop
🔁
Repeatthen average
We do · 1 6 min

Build the results table together and do one drop as a class.

Record as we go

Size (cm²) | Try 1 | Try 2 | Try 3 | Average time (s)

One clean drop
Release → start · lands → stop · write the time · reset to zero.
Same weight, same height, same person timing — only the size changes.
I do · 2 4 min

Play the animation. Bust: it's the wind slowing it, not air resistance.

Big canopy, slow fall

same drop height big → slow small → fast

From the same height, the big parachute falls more slowly — more air resistance.

Model the ruleThe bigger canopy meets more air, so air resistance slows it — this is the force we're testing, not a random gust. Keep the test indoors or shielded so wind doesn't spoil it.

Watch for: "it's the wind slowing it, not air resistance", and stopwatch slips (forgetting to reset).

We do · 2 5 min

Spot what would spoil the results.

Keep it reliable

Fair or spoiled?
"Drop each from a different height."   "Repeat each size three times."   "A window is open and it's windy."
Which of these would spoil our results, and why?
Independent 10 min

On your own. Sort each action, then run and record at your tier.

Reliable results sorter

✅ Makes results reliable

⚠️ Would spoil the results

🚫 Myth to bust

Tap a card to sort it…

🌱 Seedling
Working towards

Sort the cards, then record your times in the table.

🌿 Sapling
Expected

Sort them, then record three sizes with repeats and work out each average.

🌳 Oak
Greater depth

Sort them, then explain how repeating and averaging makes your results more reliable.

Exit ticket 4 min

Answer at your tier, then hand it in.

Show what you know

🌱 Seedling
Working towards
  • Why drop from the same height each time?
  • What do we measure?
🌿 Sapling
Expected
  • Why time in parts of a second?
  • Why repeat each size?
🌳 Oak
Greater depth

How do you know your results are reliable? Give two reasons.

TA Focus · Running the test
Stopwatch skill first: start on release, stop on landing, reset to zero. Keep drops from the same height. For the sorter, ask 'does this make it more trustworthy, or spoil it?' The myth is 'it's the wind, not air resistance'.
Cold Call · Question bank
1 / 9