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Notes for Teachers

Each student needs 1 raw egg on the day of the “drop”.
“Dummy” eggs can be used for testing purposes to eliminate waste and messes.

Plastic eggs
Chocolate candy eggs
etc.

Paper Towels for clean up
A ladder can be used and heights can vary.

Other suggestions for the drop would be the top of bleachers, playground equipment, etc.

Encourage creativity and out of the box thinking among your students!
You could offer extra credit for fully recyclable designs.

List of Materials

This list is not all inclusive, but rather suggested items that can be used.

Egg Landing Construction:

Egg cartons
Cotton balls
Bubble wrap
Tape
Cardboard
Pipe cleaners
Wooden skewers
Rubber bands
Plastic bags
String
Foam
Sponges
Plastic sheet
Balloons

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Standards

Physical Science:

6.P2U1.4 Develop and use a model to predict how forces act on objects at a distance.

● Gravitational forces are always attractive. There is a gravitational force between any two masses, but it is very small except when one or both of the objects have large mass.

● Forces that act at a distance (gravitational, electric, and magnetic) can be explained by force fields that extend through space and can be mapped by their effect on a test object (a ball, a charged object, or a magnet, respectively). (7.P2U1.2)

Note: Gravitational force is a suggested focus for 6th grade; It is suggested that all 3 forces be focused on in 7th grade.

Mathematical Practices:

MP.5 Use appropriate tools strategically.

Science and Engineering Practices:

● ask questions and define problems

● develop and use models

● plan and carry out investigations

● analyze and interpret data

● use mathematics and computational thinking

● construct explanations and design solutions

● engage in argument from evidence

● obtain, evaluate, and communicate information

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Objective(s):

Today the students will develop and use a model to predict how forces act on objects at a distance.

The students will describe and define material properties.

The students will identify the forces of gravity, drag, and the term air resistance.

The students will design, test and modify their egg drop leading device to ensure the safety and security of their egg.

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Agenda

-Allow initial class period for introduction and explanation of the lesson with specific detail relating to the learning goals.

-Put a focus on what the students need to accomplish, as well as what they should know by the end of the lesson.

-Allow approximately 4 hours from start to finish (We used 4 separate class periods).

Day 1- Introduce objective and allow for brainstorming of designs.
Day 2 and 3- Construction of Egg Drop Landers, testing phases #1 and #2, data collection and reflection, design modifications if needed based on testing.
Day 4- DROP DAY! Students will collect data on their drop and complete a reflection sheet.

Day 1- I showed the following video to get students engaged in the process and incite potential ideas:

Mythbusters ---- Falling egg - video Dailymotion

We discussed possible ideas and students completed an initial design sketch, complete with materials that they would need for their design.

I provided students with the list of materials that I would have for them to choose from, as well as materials that were not allowed (ie: glass, metal, pre-bought devices, etc).

Day 2 and 3- Students were allowed to “shop” one at a time from the supplied that I brought in. They were limited in the amounts of certain items and were also able to bring other items from home if approved. Students completed two testing phases that allowed for adjustments of their design if needed. Testing was done at “hip level” first and then their own height. This allowed them to see if their design could withstand shorter drop distances.

Day 4- Students were very excited for Drop Day. Some eggs survived, others didn’t. Students completed a reflection sheet after the drop to assess what went well and what needed to be refined.

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Intro

Can you create a device to protect an egg?

What types of devices exist to protect people, cargo, food, etc?

Watch:

Mythbusters ---- Falling egg - video Dailymotion

What type of device do you think you could create to keep your egg safe?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Suggested group structure:

You could assign students groups for this project, but I had my students work individually. They each got to come up with a design that was unique and entirely their idea.
My ARISE students worked in a group of 4 because they are only present in general education classes for half of the period and then work in their ARISE class the rest of the time.
I had two groups of 3 students each that have IEP’s that allow for group projects, and they were given additional time and help in their resource classroom.

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Hands on Activity Instructions-Continued…

Step-by-step instructions:

Watch the MythBusters video
Hand out initial worksheet that allows students to list the supplies they will use, supplies that will be provided and space to sketch their initial design.
Begin construction of egg drop landers.
Test landers twice: once at waist level and the second time at head level.
Record data/results on the data tracker and allow time for students to make modifications to their original design.
“Drop Day”- Drop each student design from the height you have designated- we used the a ladder and the top of our bleachers.
Record results and discuss with whole group.

What went well?
What materials proved to be the most secure/supportive?
What did you notice about the drop done at various heights?
Why did you have different results at different heights?
What other factors besides your materials would impact the safety of your egg?

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Assessment

Sketch/Materials list
Data Tracking sheet/modifications write up
Final drop results-hands on practice
Discussion

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Differentiation

Some groups needed more guidance and suggestions.
My group of ARISE students had an aide working with them to make suggestions and guide them towards specific material choices while also letting them have creative freedom.
Students with IEP/504 accommodations were allowed to work in a group while all other students worked individually.
Examples were provided to all students and video footage was used to give them a real life example.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Questions to Consider:

Extension/Reflection Questions:
What was the result of your drop? How well did your design protect the egg during the test? What materials were important to your design and the safety of your egg? What materials were the least important and protective?
If you were to conduct the experiment again, what would you do differently?
What materials do you think would be most effective in creating a new design?
Make a connection between this activity and something that happens naturally. You can also include a response that identifies human activities that are similar to the egg drop.

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