Fourth graders in Mrs. Amy Luzader’s and Mrs. Jennifer Gallaher’s classes recently engaged in an exciting hands-on learning experience as part of their Smithsonian physical science unit, “How does motion energy change in a collision?” The highlight of the unit was the Egg Drop Challenge, where students sought to answer the focus question: "How can we protect our brains in a collision?"
During the challenge, students were tasked with designing a model bicycle helmet that would protect an egg—representing the human brain—from cracking when dropped from a height equivalent to the teacher's shoulder. The project encouraged creativity and critical thinking as students worked in teams to devise solutions that met specific criteria.
To succeed, the helmets had to cover the entire egg, feature an outer shell, and ensure the egg remained intact upon impact. Additionally, the design constraints included a maximum size limit of 15 cm in length and 10 cm in width, along with the requirement that the egg must be easily removable from the helmet.
Students had a limited timeframe of three class periods to complete their designs, and they could only use materials provided by the teachers, challenging them to think innovatively within set boundaries.
The Egg Drop Challenge provided a fun and interactive way for students to apply their knowledge of motion energy and collisions and fostered teamwork and problem-solving skills. As the fourth graders built their helmets, they learned valuable lessons about engineering principles and the importance of safety in real-world applications.
With laughter and excitement filling their classrooms, students eagerly anticipated the moment of truth as they prepared to test their creations. The Egg Drop Challenge proved to be an egg-citing success, highlighting the curiosity and ingenuity of the young engineers at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School.
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