BEDFORD – The kindergarteners at Lincoln Elementary School participated in a time-honored tradition Thursday afternoon.
For more than 17 years, students, along with the help of their parents or guardians, have built a device to protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped from the school’s roof.
This project typically relates to lessons about Newton’s laws of motion or potential and kinetic energy. However, it is also an excellent way for students to practice the engineering design process, learn about the importance of design iteration, and learn from failure if their device doesn’t protect the egg from cracking.
“It is a hands-on project where students can use STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) to build something durable to protect their egg when it’s thrown off the roof and hits the ground,” said Mrs. Kenzi Terry. “They must use their imagination and devise a plan to protect their egg.” It’s a fun, easy, and quick event we can do.”
“We do the egg drop for a couple of different reasons,” said April Colchin. It’s a fun way for students to work with their families to brainstorm a way to protect a raw egg when it is dropped from the school roof. There are no limitations as to what the students can design and build other than it has be be able to fit through an attic opening and the students have to be able to carry it. It’s always so fun to see the different levels of creativity! Students get so egg-cited to watch if their design is successful or not. It’s also a fun way to make learning hands-on as we begin to wrap up our life cycle of chicken activities.”
Both classes had incubators in their rooms. The chicks started hatching this week.
Kordell Staley worked with his dad, James Staley, to devise his device.
He used a playdough box, lots of bubble wrap, and cardboard as a barrier to protect his egg. His egg didn’t break.
Otto Hamm was not so lucky. His egg broke.
He used a pencil design to build a box, bubble wrap, and a bag as a parachute.
Otto Hamm with his father showing his design and broken egg.
Here is a list of students and the results of their devices:
- Charlotte Byers – egg broke
- Ryder Cooper – egg broke
- Zoey Farley – egg survived
- Otto Hamm – egg broke
- Susie Hauk – egg broke
- Eden Holtz – egg survived
- Xavier Hughes – egg survived
- Anthony Jeffries – egg survived
- Meadow Lagle – egg survived
- Emersyn Lake – egg survived
- Atlas Leatherman – egg survived
- Nova McClure – egg survived
- Liliana Pena – egg survived
- Paul Query – egg survived
- Bexley Shaw – egg broke
- Eliza Watterson – egg survived
- Elliot Wilson – egg broke
Eliza Watterson worked on her project with her mom, Heather.
“We used this blue pool noodle, some beads, and a hot glue gun to glue it all together,” she said.
