Project Description:
Overview:
In this project, students will need to design a device according to a set of specifications
which will prevent a predetermined number of eggs from breaking after
being dropped from a certain height.
Specifics:
- The device should be constructed to hold anywhere from 1 to 6 eggs.
- The eggs must be raw and will be provided by the teacher.
- The maximum dimensions of the device should not exceed 20cm by 30cm by 50cm.
- Students may use any materials available to them, with the following exceptions:
Glass, food products, explosive materials (gunpowder, gasoline, etc.)
- The design cannot include a parachute or a significant amount of drag force.
(The idea of the project is to minimize the impulse during the collision
with the ground. The device should be traveling at maximum velocity at ground level.)
Objectives/Standards:
The objective of this project is to expose students to the concepts of energy,
momentum, force, and impulse.
Timeline:
Most of the work for this project should be completed by the student out of class
(2-3 weeks). A minimum of 10 minutes should be taken by the teacher to introduce
and discuss the project. One full class period will be needed to test the devices.
A practice/workshop day is optional.
Materials:
Construction materials:
-
The materials for this project should be provided by the student and can consist
of toothpicks, cotton balls, Styrofoam, tissue paper, cans, bottles,
bubble wrap, cloths, rubber bands, straws, as well as a variety of other
materials not listed here.
Testing Materials:
- Eggs
- Garbage bags
- Plastic covering (for the landing zone)
- Plum Bob for measuring height of the drop
- Paper towels
- Anti-bacterial cleaner
Assessment:
The assessment portion of this project will be based on three items:
- Quality and originality of design - A small portion of the student's grade
should be based on the overall quality of the tested device. A rigid, well-made,
and thought-out device should earn more points than an egg in a
box. This will serve to reward students who invest more time
into the project design.
- Performance Score - Each student's device will be ranked according
to a performance score, determined by the following equation:
Score = 100 * (# surviving eggs + 1) / [(Volume / 1000) x (# broken eggs + .5)]
Based on the student's rank, a score will be assigned to his/her device.
The scores can and will vary greatly, anywhere from 10,000 points to 1 point.
The majority of scores will most likely fall in the 100-point range. (See the helpful
hints for a sample spreadsheet.) Ranking students' scores will be preferable to
using a standard scale because of the diversity of the project.
- The paper - Each student's paper should be graded based on the quality
of the explanation of the device. (Sample paper template.)
