SHERBURNE – On Monday, Sherburne-Earlville Elementary School students competed to see if their eggs survived a drop from the school roof. Stacey Davis' fifth grade class and Peg Lindoerfer's pre-first students worked together in pairs to construct the best containers that would prevent their eggs from cracking. Principal John Douchinsky assisted in the project by dropping each pair's container from the roof. Lindoerfer explained that the project involved creative problem solving as the teams had to brainstorm the best design and how to use the provided materials.
“They talked and exchanged ideas,” said Lindoerfer. “We have ways to turn the curriculum into something that is so much fun.”
She explained that beyond problem solving, the egg-dropping contest would also serve as a math project. The fifth graders will have to calculate what percentage of eggs broke versus the percentage that didn't break. The pre-firsters will use pie graphs to understand the ratio.
“From an academic standpoint, the project (incorporates) math and physics as they are trying to design,” said Douchinsky. “The fifth grade and pre-first work together side by side.”
He explained that because of their age, the fifth graders learned leadership abilities as they guide the younger students. The pre-first students also had a chance to build social skills.
The students were very excited about the project as a whole. They were able to be outside as their eggs were dropped and were eager to see the results once they returned to the classroom. Many yelled, “It survived!” when they realized that his or her egg hadn't cracked. The students will celebrate the end of the project with cupcakes and by writing thank you notes, explained Lindoerfer.
The egg-dropping project proved to be a much-needed creative and fun outlet, especially as schools across the county deal with the heavily debated issue of common core testing.