Grade 3 · Design & Engineering · Lesson 145

Soft-Landing Capsule

Build a paper capsule and parachute that carries one paper astronaut through a controlled drop.

Time2 × 45 minutesTeamsPairs; alternate builder and testerEquipmentBasic classroom design materials; no powered equipment

Your project in view

What you are making

Build a paper capsule and parachute that carries one paper astronaut through a controlled drop.

This generated example illustrates one possible finished design—not actual student work. Use the lesson’s sizes, connected parts and safety steps; your colors and creative details can be different.

Generated finished-project example for Soft-Landing Capsule: Build a paper capsule and parachute that carries one paper astronaut through a controlled drop.
Soft-Landing Capsule · Generated project example

Student directions · Grade 3

What will you make and do?

Build a paper capsule and parachute that carries one paper astronaut through a controlled drop.

Teacher overview: Students will plan the specific object described below, make and test a first version, then use their results to improve it. Read one step together, demonstrate the unfamiliar action, and let students complete that step before moving on.

  1. 1Plan your project

    Draw the capsule hanging level under a canopy. Mark four equally spaced string points.

  2. 2Make the first parts

    Attach equal short strings to the canopy and cup so the cup hangs upright.

  3. 3Put it together

    Hold the canopy open and check that the paper astronaut stays inside without being taped down.

  4. 4Test it fairly

    Release from the same teacher-set height three times. Record opening, landing and tipping.

  5. 5Improve one part

    Change only canopy size or string attachment spacing and repeat.

  6. 6Show and turn in

    Submit the finished soft-landing capsule, two labeled ideas and before-and-after evidence. Explain which change the results support.

How will you know it works?

  • Canopy opens during the drop
  • Paper astronaut remains in the capsule
  • Record the stated test and explain one revision

Before you move on

Tell a partner what you are making. Point to the part you will work on next. Draw or dictate your test notes if writing slows you down.

Machine cutting, printer setup and electrical power-on require adult approval. A basic-materials model is a valid way to demonstrate the design when equipment is unavailable.

Keep your plan, test notes and before-and-after evidence with the printable design brief below. Use the detailed teacher plan and any coding guide for tool instructions. These steps continue across the lesson’s meetings, not all in one sitting.

For teachers

Engineering standards

This shows how the lesson connects to the national NGSS engineering standards and what student work you can collect.

Assessed

3-5-ETS1-1

Define the need in Build a paper capsule and parachute that carries one paper astronaut through a controlled drop. Agree on the two success checks and the listed material limits.

What students show: Two labeled ideas with the target and limits stated.
Practiced

3-5-ETS1-2

Compare the ideas using the project checks: Canopy opens during the drop; Paper astronaut remains in the capsule.

What students show: A selected design with a reason connected to a success check.
Assessed

3-5-ETS1-3

Test, change one feature and retest: Release from the same teacher-set height three times. Record opening, landing and tipping. Change only canopy size or string attachment spacing and repeat.

What students show: Before-and-after results collected under the same conditions.

Materials

  • Paper cup
  • paper canopy
  • four equal cotton strings
  • tape
  • paper astronaut
  • ruler
  • Pencil, planning paper and the printable design brief below

Teacher preparation

  1. Gather per-pair materials: Paper cup; paper canopy; four equal cotton strings; tape; paper astronaut; ruler.
  2. Make one rough sample and rehearse the exact test: Release from the same teacher-set height three times. Record opening, landing and tipping.
  3. Set the size, load or distance marks mentioned in the steps before class. Demonstrate an ordinary first attempt, not a perfect model to copy.
  4. Prepare any holes, fasteners or difficult cuts for students. Check the stated safety note and clear the testing space.

Step by step

How to teach it

Meeting 1 · 0–8 min

See the job and plan

  1. Introduce the finished object: Build a paper capsule and parachute that carries one paper astronaut through a controlled drop.
  2. Draw the capsule hanging level under a canopy. Mark four equally spaced string points.
  3. Students say what would count as a successful result.
Meeting 1 · 8–18 min

Model the unfamiliar action

  1. Demonstrate slowly: Attach equal short strings to the canopy and cup so the cup hangs upright.
  2. Pause so partners can repeat the action; provide prepared parts if cutting or folding blocks progress.
Meeting 1 · 18–35 min

Build the first version

  1. Hold the canopy open and check that the paper astronaut stays inside without being taped down.
  2. Partners swap builder and checker roles halfway through. Check the working part before decorating.
Meeting 1 · 35–45 min

Try once and save

  1. Run one trial of the stated test to locate an obvious problem. Do not count a changed procedure as a fair comparison.
  2. Label and store the model; sketch its current shape and clear the work area.
Meeting 2 · 0–8 min

Predict and set up

  1. Revisit the two success checks. Agree on identical starting conditions and prepare a before/after results table.
Meeting 2 · 8–23 min

Collect evidence

  1. Release from the same teacher-set height three times. Record opening, landing and tipping.
  2. One student operates while the other records. Swap for a later trial while noting a change of operator if it affects the result.
Meeting 2 · 23–35 min

Change one thing

  1. Change only canopy size or string attachment spacing and repeat.
  2. Keep the original results rather than replacing them with only the best attempt.
Meeting 2 · 35–45 min

Explain and clean up

  1. Submit the finished soft-landing capsule, two labeled ideas and before-and-after evidence. Explain which change the results support.
  2. Collect the brief and results; separate reusable materials and clean the test area.

Assessment

  • Canopy opens during the drop
  • Paper astronaut remains in the capsule
  • Student demonstrates the actual task: Release from the same teacher-set height three times. Record opening, landing and tipping.
  • Record includes failures as well as successes.
  • Student identifies one changed feature and uses the retest to explain the result.

Supports & extensions

  • Provide fold marks or pre-cut parts; accept drawings or dictated observations.
  • Start with the smallest working version of soft-landing capsule before decoration.
  • Extension after success: choose one more value for the same tested feature, predict its effect and repeat release from the same teacher-set height three times.

Safety & responsible use

  • Teacher checks materials and test conditions before use. Use classroom scissors; adults prepare difficult cuts, holes and fasteners.
  • No powered tools, coding, hot glue or electrical circuits are required. Keep moving objects contained and test loads light.
  • Use a clear floor-level drop zone. No climbing, overhead drops or drops above people.

No-machine alternative

Use prepared paper parts, larger pieces or an adult-assisted version of the same build. Keep the functional task: Build a paper capsule and parachute that carries one paper astronaut through a controlled drop. If physical testing is not possible, label sketches as predictions rather than measured results.

Printable student design brief

The challenge

Build a paper capsule and parachute that carries one paper astronaut through a controlled drop.

Success criteria

  • Canopy opens during the drop
  • Paper astronaut remains in the capsule
  • Record the stated test and explain one revision

Constraints

  • Use only the listed teacher-approved materials
  • Stay within the teacher-set size, load and test-space limits
  • Two 45-minute meetings; keep the first version simple

Engineer’s notes

Who uses this object, and what should it do?
Draw two possible designs. Label the working parts and circle your choice.
Which size, fold, gap or position must you measure or mark?
Before testing, predict what will happen: Release from the same teacher-set height three times. Record opening, landing and tipping.
Record each trial: condition / expected result / actual result.
Draw the ONE change you made. What stayed the same?
Record the retest. Did the change help, not help, or leave the result uncertain?
Show and explain: one result that supports your conclusion.
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