Part of Lesson Plan: It Really is Rocket Science Part 2

Activity Overview / Details

Culminate the parachute activity with an Egg Drop competition. To make things fair, I measure out the materials I give them, such as one plastic bag, one egg, ten plastic drinking straws, and only two meters of masking tape.

Allow about 30 minutes for them to create their Egg Drop device.  If you spent a lot of time with parachutes and the other previous activities and now you are out of time, just have them sketch a possible design for their Egg Drop to be built the following class meeting.

Once their Egg Drops are complete, have the kids go to the second floor balcony. Prep the landing area by spreading newspaper, flattened cardboard boxes, or an old plastic tablecloth. Have the first student or student pair hold their Egg Drop out over the edge of the balcony and release it; do not have them throw it. This way the only two forces at work are gravity and air resistance. When the Egg Drop lands, check the egg for breakage. Have a large trashcan handy for broken, leaking Egg Drops. Once the first student or students drop it, have them come downstairs and join you at the landing area. Then they will judge the next Egg Drop. If time allows and a higher level is available, you could have a Round Two competition for the survivng Egg Drops.