Egg-cellent Drop Design Challenge!

5th Grade

Project
1 week

Egg-cellent Drop Design Challenge!

Brandon G

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to explore the principles of physics and engineering by designing a protective structure for an egg using everyday materials. You will engage in hands-on experiments to understand material properties and apply this knowledge to create a functional design. Through this process, you'll develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and scientific inquiry, culminating in a presentation that showcases your learning journey and design innovations.

Learning goals

Explore the properties of various materials to understand their ability to absorb impact and protect fragile objects. Develop problem-solving skills by designing and testing a structure that prevents an egg from breaking when dropped. Enhance communication skills by explaining your design process and findings during the Science Celebration Day. Reflect on your learning journey through daily journaling, identifying challenges and solutions. Strengthen collaboration and critical thinking by participating in peer review sessions to improve your design.

Standards

NGSS - 3-5-ETS1-1: Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
NGSS - 3-5-ETS1-2: Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.MD.C.5: Relate volume to the operations of multiplication and addition and solve real-world and mathematical problems involving volume.

Products

Design and construct a protective casing for your egg using recycled materials, ensuring it can withstand the impact of a drop. Document your process and findings in a written report that includes your hypothesis, design steps, and results. Present your final product during the Science Celebration Day, demonstrating its effectiveness through a live egg drop. Additionally, maintain a reflection journal to track your daily progress and insights throughout the project.

Launch

Kick off your project with an 'Egg-sploration Day' where you gather a variety of everyday materials and test their properties, such as strength and flexibility, to see how they might protect an egg. Spend time experimenting with materials like bubble wrap, cotton, and cardboard to understand their impact absorption capabilities. Document your observations and initial ideas in your reflection journal, setting the stage for your design process.

Exhibition

Invite younger grades to your Science Celebration Day, where you will showcase your egg drop project. Demonstrate your protective casing and explain the design process, highlighting the materials used and the challenges you overcame. Encourage younger students to ask questions and engage with your project, fostering a learning environment where you can share insights and inspire curiosity.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Egg-sploration Day - Gather a variety of everyday materials like bubble wrap, cotton, and cardboard to test their properties such as strength and flexibility, documenting observations in your reflection journal (30 min) Material Testing - Conduct hands-on experiments to evaluate the impact absorption capabilities of each material, taking detailed notes on their performance (30 min)	Design Brainstorming - Reflect on previous day's material testing results and brainstorm potential designs for your egg protective casing (20 min) Sketching and Planning - Create detailed sketches of your proposed design and plan the materials needed for construction, noting any necessary improvements (40 min)	Initial Construction - Begin building your protective structure using selected recycled materials, following your design plan (30 min) Peer Review Session - Present your initial design to classmates, receiving constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement (30 min)	Design Revision - Revise your protective casing based on peer feedback, making necessary adjustments to improve effectiveness (30 min) Testing and Observation - Conduct a trial egg drop with your revised design, observing outcomes and documenting findings in your reflection journal (30 min)	Final Adjustments - Make final tweaks to your design based on testing results to ensure optimal egg protection (20 min) Science Celebration Day Preparation - Prepare for the presentation by organizing your written report and rehearsing your explanation of the design process (40 min)
Deliverables	1. Reflection journal documenting daily progress, challenges, and solutions. 2. Written report detailing hypothesis, design steps, results, and reflection. 3. Final protective casing for the egg, ready for the Science Celebration Day.
Preparation	1. Gather a variety of everyday materials for testing (bubble wrap, cotton, cardboard, etc.). 2. Prepare reflection journals and writing materials for documentation. 3. Ensure access to a safe drop zone for testing the egg protection structures. 4. Set up a peer review session with classmates for Day 4.