Competition winners Andrew Przybys (left), Steven Voinovich (middle), and Jake Brubaker (right) show off the egg contraption that earned them extra credit!

In the hushed anticipation of a physics class, an egg encased in a makeshift cocoon of straws and tape takes a precarious plunge while a rocket engineered by students slices through the air with a thrilling whoosh in the clear, blue sky. These moments reflect the real-world adventures unfolding in the physics classes led by Mr. Lamb and Mrs. Koren, where textbooks take a backseat to hands-on engineering, experimenting, and exploring.

“The idea is that since the egg is being dropped from so many different heights and smacks the floor when it lands, students need to figure out a way to distribute the energy from the impact and make it go into the vehicle rather than into the egg and break it,” explains Mr. Lamb about the egg drop challenge. This project transforms students into engineers faced with a delicate problem: saving an egg from a fatal fall.

“Figuring out how to protect an egg from a high fall using just a few simple materials really puts your problem-solving skills to the test,” reflects junior Mike McFeeture on the challenge. His words highlight the task and the creativity it sparks among students. “The jumbo straws, masking tape, eggs, and other materials are like the pieces of a puzzle that have to be put together just right.”

Once all the models were completed, within about three class periods, the drop test began at one meter high and increased by one meter until it reached three meters high. As there was no particular design to follow, students could use their imagination to create a model that they believed would absorb the most energy.

“The egg drop project was about understanding the principles that apply to protecting it and actually building something with that knowledge. Learning through doing makes a huge difference,” adds Junior Emily Freund.

Then there’s the rocket launch project, which sends excitement levels soaring as high as the rockets themselves. “The launch was the best part. There’s something about watching a rocket you built shoot up into the air that’s just awesome,” shares junior Logan Laneer, capturing the project’s spirit.

The rocket lab aims to elevate students’ understanding of aerodynamics, propulsion, and flight physics, providing a hands-on experience to explore how rockets are engineered, launched, and navigated through the air. Maybe some of the students will end up taking their talents to SpaceX someday.

“I hope the students feel empowered by this activity and see the real-world applications of their hard work in physics this year!” shared Mrs. Koren as she reflected on the goals of these projects. This is about showing students the power and relevance of physics in the real world and how learning can lead to some genuinely fun moments.

Through the challenges of protecting an egg and launching a rocket, students learn physics principles and engage with them in a memorable way. “Doing these projects, it’s like, you really get what physics is all about. It’s not just homework because it’s real stuff—like making things work. That’s the cool part! It kinda gave me a sense of accomplishment,” reflects junior Cree Canzoni.