Physics I: Egg Drop Lesson Plan

Benchmarks:
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.
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.
3-5-ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and
failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be
improved.
MS-PS2-5: Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to
provide evidence that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other
even though the objects are not in contact.
Learning Objectives:
Students will be able to understand force and the components that
make up force.
Students will be able to understand how gravity can impact a force.
Students will discover different methods in which to reduce a force on
an object/
Behavioral Objective:
Students will be able to access the forces that gravity would place on a
falling object.
Students will construct a contraption that can restrict the force on the
egg such that it will not crack.
Resources:

Egg
Kleenex Boxes
Bubble Wrap
String
StyroFoam
Store Plastic Bags
Scissors
Tape/Glue
ect.

Engagement/ Anticipatory Set:

Students will be gathered in the area and the instructors will say, Welcome
to the Egg Drop section of the Track and Explore Program. Have any of you ever
seen what happens when you drop an egg? Take a few answers. Then ask the
questions:
Do you know why the egg cracks on the ground?
Is there a way in which you could stop the egg from cracking? If so, then
it will be your task today to create a contraption in which it will not crack.

Procedure:
Students will be split into groups of 3 or 5 depending on size of class. Tickets will be handed out
with trivia questions. 10 min
What is gravity?
What factors may create a bigger impact? Area, speed, mass height dropped
What way can we lessen this impact? Cushion, slow down fall increase area
What is newton's first law? Rest stays at rest motion stays in motion
What stops a ball from rolling? Friction
Before a ball is dropped what kind of energy is stored? Potential
As the egg falls the potential energy changes from potential to? Kinetic
Can anyone arrange F M and A in an equation? F=MA

Tables will be set up with supplies and there will be a 5-7 minute time for planning Students will
be asked to draw a design plan for their contraption
collecting supplies using tickets the team with the most points will go first and so on and so
forth until supplies are gone.
Students will begin building their contraptions using supplies gathered 10min
We will then explain the experiment specifics dropping from 1 flight of stair 2 flights 3 flights 15
min
We will then reconvene and ask questions like how could you have made your contraption
better? Whyd your egg break? Why was theirs so successful? 8min