egg drop

8th Grade Life Science

Egg Drop

Situation:

Your mission is to design and construct a vehicle of restricted size that will protect its payload (a large raw grade A egg). The structure and packaging must protect the egg from breaking when dropped from the second story of the gym building (approximately 20-30 ft.)

Problem:

Design a device with the lightest weight, the fewest number of parts, and the most accurate drop to the Drop Zone Target (see equation on next page).

Design Constraints

The device must be able to fit in a 12 in. cube and weigh less that 450 g (<1 lb.)
The egg must be put into the device on the day of competition. The device must allow for easy opening and inspection of the egg.
Repairs requiring additional materials will not be allowed once the competition has begun.
No propulsion or air drag devices (i.e., parachutes, helium, wings).
The vehicle must have a 3-inch string securely attached to it to hold the vehicle before dropping it.
The egg must be placed in a sealed plastic bag provided by the student before it is placed in the container.

Suggested materials

Plastic straws toothpicks rubber bands

Cotton balls string/twine ladies stockings (nylons)

Paper/cardboard box scotch/masking tape

Tissue paper pipe cleaners plastic bottles

Cardboard rolls paper clips paper/plastic cups

Illegal items: sponges, glass, duct tape, Styrofoam (or foam of any kind), bubble wrap, items that will splatter (peanut butter, Jell-O, liquids, etc.)

Competition

Each vehicle will be inspected to determine compliance with the rules.
Each vehicle will be weighed at the competition. The weight will be measured in grams with no egg inside.
The number of parts used for each device will be counted. Each individual piece will count as one part. For example, if the egg is cradled in 100 cotton balls glued together, the device will have 101 parts. 100 parts cotton balls and 1 part glue

The Drop Zone will be comprised of three concentric rings: two, four, and six feet in diameter. The Drop Zone Score will be determined by where the payload lands. Bull’s eye – 1 pt. Second ring – 2 pts Third Ring – 3 pts. Outside the rings – 4 pts. (Each student will have two chances to qualify. The better score will be used.
Competition Scoring Formula

Score = [35(w/100) + 35(n/18) + 30 (DZ/2)]EIF

W = weight of the vehicle in grams

N = Number of parts

DZ = Drop Zone Score

EIF = Egg Integrity factor (1 if not cracked, .6 if cracked, .3 of broken)

Numbers will be rounded to nearest tenth of a point

Note: Formula is based on the ideal of a device that weighs less than 100 g, has less than 18 parts, and will drop in the first or second ring without breaking.

Bonus Criteria: create a vehicle that can safely carry the greatest number of eggs.

Documentation

Submit a draft sketch of your egg vehicle with a list of supplies.
Submit final documentation (to be provided) two days after the competition is completed.

Grading

Creativity – 25 pts. (A soda bottle filled with paper is not creative and will not protect the egg)

Meeting size and weight requirements – 15 pts

Egg survival Rate – 10 points

Competition placement – 75 pts

Documentation – 25 points

Bonus points : 5 points for each additional egg

Total value: - 150 pts.

Idea sketches and supply lists:_______________________________

Egg drop Date: ___________________________________________

All Documentation Due: ____________________________________

8th Grade Physical Science

Egg Drop

Name___________________________

Date ____________________________

List all materials used in the construction of your egg drop device.

________________________________________________________

Dimensions of your egg drop vehicle

________ cm Length _________cm Width ________ cm Height

Photographs of your egg drop vehicle. (These will be provided by teacher).

Check the resources that were used to determine design of egg drop vehicle

_____parent _____internet _____books

_____classmate _____other relative _____my own design

_____other (explain)_________________

Describe the help given (if any) in designing device.

_______________________________________________________________

Approximate time spent on design and construction ___________hours

Describe how your device will protect its cargo.

________________________________________________________________

Describe modifications (if any) that you made to your device after your original construction. How did you test the integrity of your device?

________________________________________________________________

Evaluate your project after the egg drop competition. What problems did you have?

What improvements would help you score better on the test?

________________________________________________________________

Egg Drop Results

1. W – Weight of Device __________

2. N = Number of Parts:___________

3. DZ = Drop Zone Score

Bull’s Eye – 1 pt. Second Ring – 2 pts. Third Ring – 3 pts.

Outside the Rings – 4pt.

Test 1 _____________ Test 2 _______________

4. EIF = Egg Integrity Factor (1 if not cracked, 3 cracked, 10 - broken)

Test 1 ________ Test 2 ___________

5. Competition Scoring (Use best scores):

Test Score 1 ______________ Test Score 2 ____________

Best Class Score ____________

Bonus Criteria:

Create a vehicle that can safely carry the greatest number of eggs.

# eggs _______

Grading

_____ Creativity (25)

_____ Meeting Size and Weight Requirements (15 points)

_____ Egg Survival Rate (10)

_____ Competition Placement (75)

_____ Documentation (25)

_____ Bonus Points: 5 points for each additional egg carried. Comments:________________________________________

_____ Total Value (150) Project Grade _________ %

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