No Prep Sub Plans: Extreme Jobs — Smokejumper STEM DESIGN SERIES (5th-8th)

No Prep Sub Plans: Extreme Jobs — Smokejumper STEM DESIGN SERIES Research + STEM Design Challenge
Bring the excitement and danger of wildfire response into your classroom with this hands-on STEM Design Challenge focused on Smokejumpers! Students explore the real-world job of wildland firefighters who parachute into remote wildfire zones before applying engineering and design thinking skills to create and test their own parachute cargo delivery system.
Students will research how smokejumpers work, why parachute cargo drops are critical during wildfire emergencies, and how parachute size and shape affect speed and landing accuracy. Teams will then design, build, test, and improve a parachute system capable of safely lowering a weighted cargo box onto a target.

Perfect for:
- STEM Classes
- Engineering Challenges
- Science Enrichment
- Career Exploration
- Emergency Sub Plans
- Makerspace Activities
- Collaborative Learning
- Fast Finishers
This flexible challenge can be completed in 1–3 class periods depending on the depth of research, testing, redesign, and reflection you choose to include.

What’s Included
✔ Teacher Directions
✔ Light Prep / Setup Guidance
✔ Materials List
✔ Suggested Scheduling Options (1–3 class periods)
✔ Online Research Resources Page
✔ 2-Page Student Planner (Color Version)
✔ 2-Page Student Planner (Black & White Version)
✔ Research Questions
✔ Engineering Design Planning Sheets
✔ Prototype Sketch Space
✔ Testing & Improvement Tracking
✔ Final Reflection Questions
✔ STEM Design Process Integration

Students Will:
- Research the role of Smokejumpers and wildfire response teams
- Investigate parachutes, gravity, drag, and air resistance
- Design a parachute cargo delivery system
- Test and improve prototypes
- Measure descent time and landing accuracy
- Apply real-world STEM problem-solving skills
- Practice collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking

STEM Challenge
Students must design and test a parachute delivery system that lowers a cargo box (a small weighted cup) safely to the ground from a high drop point. The slowest, most accurate landing wins!
Grades
Grades 5–8
Prep Level
Light Prep / Setup Required

Materials Needed
Most materials are inexpensive classroom or household supplies such as:
- Plastic bags
- Tissue paper
- Coffee filters
- String
- Tape
- Paperclips
- Small paper cups
- Pennies or washers
- Stopwatch
- Measuring tape
- Paper plate target

Why Teachers Love It
This resource combines high-interest career exploration with authentic STEM engineering challenges in a classroom-friendly format. Students stay engaged through hands-on testing, redesign, and competition while learning how engineers solve real-world problems. Excellent for both single-day STEM enrichment and multi-day engineering design projects!