WAUKESHA –The Physics Department at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha once again will hold an egg drop contest, open to children from kindergarten through Grade 8, including home-schooled students. UW-Waukesha students also will participate, but they are not eligible for any prize money. On Thursday, May 5, 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 drop is approximately 50 feet and the landing surface concrete.
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 and middle school projects will be judged separately, with prizes awarded on both of those 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. One additional award of $10 may be given for the most creative design. 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 2- 4, or late drop-off between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on May 5. The rain date for the egg drop is Friday, May 6, at 4:00 p.m. Students entering projects need not be present for the drop.
“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.” Luis Rodriguez, from the engineering department, and Asif Habib, a biochemist, will assist Otu.
For information about the contest, phone Dr. Joseph Otu at (262) 521-5298.
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