![]() First order of business? Convincing Lagoon officials to allow students to drop something from a high, overhead ride. She discovered a myriad of details, decisions and design effort that would be required to scale a “simple” STEM activity up to large-event implementation. What the Stockton, Utah native thought would be an easy activity to organize turned into a formidable project. “’Free tickets to Lagoon, homework to ride roller coasters? Sign me up!’” Dennison asked if I’d be interested in designing an event for Physics Day, I said, ‘Of course!’” Otterstrom recalls. Yet, USU Physics Day’s egg drop offers a unique twist or two, thanks to Physics alumna Amanda Otterstrom (BS’05), who took on the task, as an undergrad, of developing specific procedures, rules and instructions for the competition of oval-shaped flight vehicles. They’re a staple of physics classrooms and STEM events throughout the world. Go, Eggies!)Įgg drop activities are nothing new. (Dozens upon dozens of eggs have plunged to their splattered doom – maybe an Aggie physicist can surmise how far those eggs, if lined up, could stretch around the amusement park? By the way, Physics Day volunteers say only about 25 percent survive the fall. For this year’s May 17 gathering, which is coordinated by the USU Department of Physics and Idaho National Laboratory, with support from a host of public and private sponsors, nearly 10,000 teens from Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada and beyond, along with their teachers, are expected to ‘geek out’ at the Farmington, Utah park.Īmong the most popular activities, initiated in 2005, is the “Sky Drop Contest,” where Physics Day participants drop raw eggs, encased in protective containers of each student’s design, from the gondola-style transport Sky Ride to a ground-level Aggie Bull’s Eye target more than 30 feet below. Dennison, a founder and long-time coordinator of the annual event.Īt best estimate, more than 150,000 aspiring scientists have participated in the yearly day of gut-churning science fun at Davis County’s über-playground since the program’s 1990 inception. “After all, what better physics laboratory to entice teens than an amusement park?” asks USU Physics Professor J.R. For one, it’s likely the largest and longest-running STEM event of the Intermountain West. Like a lot of 30-year-olds, Physics Day has settled into a successful career path, with significant accomplishments under its belt. Wrap them around the egg and secure them with tape before dropping.Utah State University’s Physics Day at Lagoon becomes a 30-something this year. Experiment with other materials too like bubble wrap or a potholder. The fun thing about science is that it is a learning process. If your egg didn’t survive the fall grab another one and keep on trying. Throw the egg from a high place (like a deck) and watch the egg survive the fall!.Tape additional straws across the back of the sponge to create more of protection and barrier.Cut an egg-sized hole in the sponge, stick the egg in the hole.We won’t be defying gravity in this project, but we will try to cushion the force to keep the shell intact. ![]() What makes an egg drop to the ground and crack? When you release the egg, gravity pulls it to the surface of the earth and the force of that pull breaks the egg’s shell. Gather your supplies from under the kitchen sink! Can an egg survive a fall from a high place? Will it crack and splatter all over the ground? We’re going to try to keep the shell in one piece with this egg drop experiment. Today we’re working on a classic science experiment for kids.
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