Parachute Presentation V. Help Me Help The Children

[horwichg 0]

Hi Folks

I'm going to be talking to my cousin's sixth grade class tomorrow about modern parachutes. I know I'm no expert in the field, but I do understand the basic principles, and that's all they'll need. They are doing a unit on air and air resistance, and have discussed airplanes, hot air balloons, and parachutes (think rounds). My cousin came home with a task to create a parachute from a plastic bag that could carry a small payload to the ground as slowly as possible, and this inspired her to ask me about presenting what I know to the class.

I figure I should talk about how a rig works (from PC toss to open canopy) This would incorporate what they have learned about air resistance in their parachutes, and allow them to see some relation to todays modern canopies. I would also talk about the way the slider works, cupping the air to slow the canopies opening, preventing injury due to rapid deceleration (caused by, you guess it, AIR RESISTANCE).
I figured I would follow that with the differences between rounds and squares, such as the cupping of air in a round, versus flight like a rigid wing in a square. Am I correct in believing that modern squares create lift much like an air plane wing? (low pressure on top, high pressure underneath)
I would then talk about how a canopy turns, by creating more drag on one side or the other, and flares (major deformation of the wing causes greater lift?)

Am I way off the mark on any of this? Anything else you would mention to a young group, who will most likely be more impressed by the fact that they've met a "real live skydiver" than any of this mumbo-jumbo?

I will bring a rig with me, and I'll open it up to show them various parts of what I'm talking about, but I think I should also have a slideshow of images, showing various aspects of what I'm talking about. If you have any images to suggest, I'd love that as well. (Think illustrations of canopy in flight, canopy in brakes, canopy in turn....) Video links would also be great.

I'll be researching all this myself, but I figure the more people that help, the better it'll be, so any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Jazzthieve 0]

I wouldn't go into details too much. It's probably best to keep things simple, most whuffos have trouble understanding what you're talking about so I wouldn't come babling about low and high presure and such.
I think if for example you let them try on your rig they will be most impressed.

[horwichg 0]

Thanks. That makes sense. I'll keep it all "air resistance" based, as thats what they are learning.
I think I'll throw in something about arching vs. cupping to speed up. With a little explanation, they'll see that the actual jump is about air too, not just the canopy ride.

And great tip about letting them try on the rig. I think I'll tie in the reserve handle first though

[wrightskyguy 1]

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I wouldn't go into details too much. It's probably best to keep things simple, most whuffos have trouble understanding what you're talking about so I wouldn't come babling about low and high presure and such.
I think if for example you let them try on your rig they will be most impressed.

I disagree here, a little on basic aerodynamics to include Bernoulli's principle is just what the occasion calls for. Remember, they're not "whuffos" (I hate that term), they're 6th grade students. Why not teach them something?

John Wright

World's most beloved skydiver

[vskydiver 0]

Yes, keep it simple and really be aware of the skydiving language you use. Wuffo's do not understand what a toggle, risers, slider.... are and when you say them they aren't going to get it. Talk to them using words they understand. (steering handles, seatbelt looking things, square piece of nylon that slows the parachute down on opening etc.) Show them how you pull the parachute and pull the parachute out and then talk to them about the aspects of the parachute as you pack it back up so they can see how it all works.

Also if you have time, I'd get some of those plastic toy parachute guys and pass them out to the class at the end of your talk. (can you tell I've done this before? http://rinovelty.com/?fuseaction=products.search&q=paratroopers&words=all&Go=Search

[wrightskyguy 1]

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Yes, keep it simple and really be aware of the skydiving language you use. Wuffo's do not understand what a toggle, risers, slider.... are and when you say them they aren't going to get it. Talk to them using words they understand.

*** Again with the Whuffo word, reeks of arrogance. Treat intelligent people like intelligent people. People aren't idiots or unable to grasp skydiving things because they have'nt made a couple jumps. You'ld be suprised how people will learn if you take the time to teach. These are sixth graders, not toddlers. BTW, I'm pretty sure a 12 year old wouldn't be remotely interested in a plastic parachute guy.

John Wright

World's most beloved skydiver

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[SPAWNmaster 0]

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Yes, keep it simple and really be aware of the skydiving language you use. Wuffo's do not understand what a toggle, risers, slider.... are and when you say them they aren't going to get it. Talk to them using words they understand.

*** Again with the Whuffo word. Treat intelligent people like intelligent people. People aren't idiots or unable to grasp skydiving things because they have'nt made a couple jumps. You'ld be suprised how people will learn if you take the time to teach.

agreed. i have a few non skydiver friends who are very savvy on freefall mechanics (freeflying, tracking, human flight, etc) as well as deployment and gear stuff just from hanging out with me.

especially with kids you may find them more receptive to the idea of human flight...tunnel videos or videos of freefly group jumps might help...just a couple of ideas.

anyways have fun!

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[horwichg 0]

Hey All

The presentation went great. I didn't have time to grab anything to give them, which I regret not doing, but other than that it was a blast. I kept it short and sweet, and tried my hardest to relate what I was saying to what they had been taught (I skimmed through the lesson plan that I grabbed from the teacher)

I opened it up to questions, and was bombarded with them. From what I remember about guest speakers in school, that's a great thing. I'd only ask questions if I was interested and paying attention, so that's cool.

The class then showed me their parachutes they had made, and we had a little contest with me as the judge. It was a lot of fun, and a great exposure for them to the sport.

Thanks for all the tips everyone

[vskydiver 0]

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Again with the Whuffo word. Treat intelligent people like intelligent people. People aren't idiots or unable to grasp skydiving things because they have'nt made a couple jumps. You'ld be suprised how people will learn if you take the time to teach.

agreed. i have a few non skydiver friends who are very savvy on freefall mechanics (freeflying, tracking, human flight, etc) as well as deployment and gear stuff just from hanging out with me.

especially with kids you may find them more receptive to the idea of human flight...tunnel videos or videos of freefly group jumps might help...just a couple of ideas.

anyways have fun!

I wasn't advising calling them whuffo's to their face. It's just an old skydiving term betweeen skydivers, not meant to be derogatory or anything. It just means a person that doesn't understand skydiving.