Ballooning Spider Phenomenon

Lesson Description:
In this first-grade lesson, we will learn about the amazing world of spiders! We'll start by exploring the life cycle of a spider, from when it hatches to how it grows and changes into an adult spider. We'll see how some baby spiders, called spiderlings, use a special trick called "ballooning" to travel in the air.

Engineering Design Challenge:
After discovering how spiders use their silk to float through the air, we're going to become little engineers! Your challenge is to design and create your very own "spiderling parachute." Just like real spiderlings, your parachute should be able to catch the wind and gently carry a small spider through the air. You'll get to choose your materials and test your parachute to see how far it can travel. Don't forget to think about the size, shape, and weight of your parachute – these are important factors in making it work! This challenge will help us use our creativity and problem-solving skills, just like real engineers. Let's have fun and see whose spiderling parachute can travel the farthest!