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Oct 31, 2024

Fourth graders soar with egg drop challenge | News | starbeacon.com

Staff Reporter ASHTABULA — In an exciting start to the school year, fourth graders at Superior Intermediate School took part in an old favorite science experiment, the egg drop challenge. The

Staff Reporter

ASHTABULA — In an exciting start to the school year, fourth graders at Superior Intermediate School took part in an old favorite science experiment, the egg drop challenge.

The experiment was introduced and organized by fourth-grade math and science teacher Jennifer Simpson.

“We wanted to start off the year with the scientific method, because that really lends itself to the rest of the year with concepts and science and even solving math problems,” she said. “It’s just a nice logical thinking process. I also wanted the kids to get to know one another a little bit better and be able to work together to collaborate.”

The students designed protective contraptions to shield a raw egg from breaking when dropped from the top of a slide.

“They had free rein in their creativity,” Simpson said. “Our problem was, how can we protect the egg? They found some really cool facts about eggs. I invited the parents to help with their creativity, and asked if they could send in supplies. The kids brought some really special things from home. I’ve seen book bags, pillows, blankets … they’re pretty confident that these items are going to keep their egg safe too. I like to incorporate a lot of movement and multi-sensory projects. I try to do a lot of hands-on, because when you’re doing, you’re learning.”

As the students prepared for the big drop, excitement buzzed through the playground.

The highest point of the slide became the launch pad for their creative inventions.

Some students used cushioned materials, while others incorporated unique designs to absorb impact.

“We have a lot of different kinds, and some of them have been good about changing their contraptions,” said fourth grade science teacher Mary Petro said.

She said they’ve been testing them out.

“They’ll drop it hand height,” she said. “They’re really starting to think about them to make them slow down or contained in something. This is the test and trial day. They’ll take this information, whatever data we collect from today and I’m going to give them a chance to improve.”

Petro said there were four classes involved, and they were put into different groups.

Principal Michele Boiarski said it’s great that the students are able to see science in action, versus reading about it in a book.

As the eggs flew down, the students watched to see which designs succeeded and which did not. Students cheered for each successful landing.

“We talked about prototyping,” Simpson said. “Right now, they were able to use any materials that they had at their disposal. When we draw the conclusions, it will be … ok did it work? But is there a more efficient way to do this? Can we reduce the amount of materials that is better for the earth. We will relate it to supply and demand, cost, reusing.”

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Staff Reporter

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