WAUKESHA –The Physics Department at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha once again will hold an egg drop contest, open to children from kindergarten through high school, including home-schooled students. UW-Waukesha students also will participate, but they are not eligible for any prize money. On Thursday, May 6, at 4:00 p.m. eggs packaged in a way to keep them from breaking will be dropped from the roof of Northview Hall on the UW-Waukesha campus at 1500 N. University Dr.
The challenge for students is to design and construct a container that, listed in the order of critical judging importance, 1) will keep the large, raw egg inside from cracking on impact with the ground; 2) is the lightest possible weight; 3) demonstrates creative design; and 4) lands closest to the target.
Kindergarten/elementary, middle, and high school projects will be judged separately, with prizes awarded on each of the three levels. Donated by faculty members, the awards consist of $20 each for first place, $15 for each second place and $10 for the third places. All participants will receive a certificate.
Contestants should bring their packages to the Physics lab on the upper level of Northview Hall (Room 229) for weigh in, preferably between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. May 3- 5, or between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on May 6. If the weather is inappropriate on Thursday, the egg drop will be held on Friday, May 7, at 4:00 p.m..
“Previous drops have shown that the egg drop contest is a useful learning experience and a fun activity, “ claims event organizer, UW-Waukesha physics professor Joseph Otu “Students put into practice their knowledge of science and have a chance to compete with other students. They also get to visit a university environment.” Faculty assisting him are Dr. Asif Habib, a biochemist, and Dr. Luis Rodriguez from the engineering department.
For information about the contest, phone Dr. Joseph Otu at (262) 521-5298. |
