STEM: Egg Drop Challenge
The Egg Drop experiment is a classic science experiment that is often used to demonstrate principles of physics and engineering. The basic idea is to design and build a structure that can protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a certain height.
The history of the Egg Drop experiment is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the mid-20th century as a science fair project. The experiment quickly gained popularity among students and educators as a way to teach basic principles of physics and engineering in a hands-on and engaging way.
Over time, the Egg Drop experiment has evolved and been adapted to fit different learning levels and objectives. Some versions of the experiment involve dropping the egg from higher and higher heights to see how high the structure can protect it from breaking, while others focus on designing the most efficient structure using limited materials.
The Egg Drop experiment has also become a popular event at science and engineering competitions and fairs, with participants from around the world showcasing their designs and testing them against increasingly challenging criteria.
Today, the Egg Drop experiment remains a popular and effective way to teach students about science and engineering principles and foster creativity and problem-solving skills.
There are many variations of the Egg Drop experiment, but the most common involves using common household materials, such as straws, paper, and tape, to create a structure that will protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a height of several feet. The structure is then tested by dropping it from various heights until the egg breaks or the structure proves successful.
The Egg Drop experiment is a fun and engaging way to learn about physics and engineering principles such as force, acceleration, and momentum. It also encourages creativity and problem-solving skills as students try to design and build the most effective structure possible.
Fun link: Former NASA engineer drops egg from space and it survives