As part of a STEM project solving real world problems, TCS 8th Grade science students created bottle rockets designed to protect a raw egg dropped from a high altitude without breaking. 

The project required students to develop a design process, use scientific method, and also learn about engineering. During the month of October, students will work to create protective coverings that can be dropped from great heights, achieve high velocity and withstand impact with a concrete sidewalk while still being able to protect the egg.

“Students will built it.  It is a high-level application of motion concepts such as speed, momentum, Newton’s Laws, and also engineering,” Britta McCarthy, the 8th Grade Science Teacher, said.

There are many factors students must consider in order for the egg to survive it’s sudden impact. Students also focus on aerodynamics, since is their designs must account for the interaction between solid bodies moving through air.

“The most important structure to protect the egg will be a good padding where the egg is inserted, and also an aerodynamic structure added to the bottle,” Antonio Lugo, 8th Grader, said.

The goal of this experiment is for students solve real world problems using their knowledge of physics, chemistry, and general science. Students must also predict what will happen when the rocket is launched.

“Students use scientific method which reinforces skills. They will generate hypotheses, predict, collect, and analyze data, and lastly justify results based on evidence,” McCarthy said.

This STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) project, is a science curriculum based on expanding a student’s knowledge and interest in the science and math domains. The difference between a normal science project and a STEM project, is that the stem project covers more than one subject.   

“Normal science projects tend to follow the scientific method, while STEM integrates math, technology, and some engineer skills to solve a problem. We have been working with math formulas and graphs to have evidence,” McCarthy said. 

Students response to this type of hands on learning has been very positive and there has been plenty of enthsiasm as students compete to develop the best design.

“Everybody wants to build a rocket that passes the test and protects the egg from breaking. It’s a good challenge that makes use what we learn in class and also be creative,” Lugo said.