Eggs Drop at Woodhull School
Huntington teacher Diane Grassi breathed new life into Sir Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion when she organized an egg capsule drop activity for her sixth grade science students at Woodhull Intermediate School.
The youngsters were placed into cooperative groups and provided with written instructions. Groups were asked to select a packaging material from a list. “It was timed and as each group selected a material it was removed from the list,” Ms. Grassi explained. “This was to guarantee each capsule would contain a different material.”
Several days later, groups were given instructions to measure and cut a half-gallon carton in order to create a capsule meeting certain specifications. They were asked to name their capsule and flight commander, which would be a raw egg provided by Ms. Grassi.
“The groups were given sufficient time to discuss how the flight commander would be packaged to provide maximum protection for a safe flight,” Ms. Grassi explained. While the youngsters prepared the capsules, the flight commanders were positioned by Ms. Grassi as per the group’s instructions. Then students completed the packaging assignment.
Once all requirements were met, Ms. Grassi, teacher Chris Dugan and teacher aides Richie Signorelli and Cynthia Vitulli assisted students in securing the tops of the capsules. Before heading outdoors, the youngsters took the first step toward completing a formatted science experiment report. They also made predictions on the ultimate outcome of their venture.
Students proceeded to drop, throw or even hurl their capsule from the top of the playground slide in an orderly fashion. “We all returned to the classroom to uncover their capsules and determine the fate of their flight commander's mission - survival or R.I.P.,” Ms. Grassi said. “We followed with completing the report and had a discussion with each group. The students expanded their understanding of motion and enjoyed themselves in the process!”
Sir Isaac Newton would be proud.
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