Each team of students will be given a container with materials (straws, packing peanuts, cotton balls, etc.) and a raw egg. Each team must build a structure in the container and/or put packing material in the container in such a way to protect and egg from breaking. Containers will be dropped from a fixed height.
Alien CSI
Students will be given a rap sheet (a story) about each Alien. They will be given a key of Aliens based on body parts (how many feet, how many hands, etc.) and Eyewitness accounts of a crime. The student’s job is to identify the criminal or criminals as fast as possible and give evidence on their choice. They will also be given a multiple choice test on the use of keys for identification.
Straw Tower
Students will build a tower out of 20 straws and a length of tape that will hold a tennis ball for at least 5 seconds. The tallest tower that holds the tennis ball is the winner.
May also choose one from this group:
Draw It, Build It
One student of a two person team will be given 10 minutes to draw and describe an object constructed out of different pieces. The first member of the team will leave the room without speaking to their partner. The second team member will be given the pieces and the drawing/description, and they will have to build the object. The team that produces an object that is closest to the original will be declared the winner.
Science Game Show
Teams of 3 from each classroom will compete against the other classrooms at their grade level to earn points as they answer science questions. The team with the most points wins.
Park It
Part one – preparation:
The students will be instructed to release a ping pong ball from a high, medium, and low point on a tube ramp. Each team will be given enough time to release the ball 2 or three times from each of the three recommend spots. Each team will be given paper all ready set up for the experiment. The teams should take data on the distance that the ping pong ball travels.
Part two - competition:
The judges will place a note card under the straight away part of the track. The note card should be placed so that the ping pong ball lands between one of the earlier release points. The students will then use their data to determine where to release one last ping pong ball. The goal is to park the ping pong ball right on the note card.