Sixth graders gathered on the blacktop, looked up a second floor window and counted down… “3… 2… 1…” Moments later, a handmade contraption was on the ground and possibly a cracked egg. June 4 featured the annual egg-drop event at Park Avenue Elementary School, an end-of-year staple for the soon-to-be graduates.  

It was the culminating activity in a physic unit, in which students studied concepts such as acceleration, force and gravity. They worked in small groups to build contraptions to hold an egg as it fell from a second-floor window to the ground. Using materials from school and from home, the young engineers had two days to plan and build, and were encouraged to find methods to slow down its speed, like adding a parachute.  

The excitement was high when egg-drop day arrived. With most of the grade outside watching, a few students at a time were in the upstairs classroom. The egg was added just ahead of the drop, and most survived. After returning to their classrooms, students analyzed the results and reflected on their designs.    

Click here to view the Scientific Egg-Citement for Park Avenue Sixth Graders slideshow.

Date Added: 6/20/2025