Elementary school students learn basics of prototyping through Auburn Engineering egg drop
Published: Apr 2, 2025 9:35 AM
By Austin Phillips
More than 50 kindergartners through fifth-graders recently descended upon Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium for this year’s egg Drop event, hosted by the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering.
To compete, students were given 40 minutes to plan, sketch and build a contraption that would, hopefully, protect the egg inside once it’s dropped from a stadium ramp. Students were provided with one egg, clothespins, Kraft paper, rubber bands, bubble wrap, cups, a plastic curtain, balloons, plastic wrap, craft sticks, string, masking and duct tape, a plastic bag, straws, scissors, rulers, crayons and cotton balls to complete the project. After every student finished building their contraption, the testing phase began where each participant’s entry was dropped from the stadium to the ground.
To move on to the next round, the eggs inside of each drop contraption must be able to be seen or felt.
Both a parent of the participant and a Cupola Engineering Ambassador was able to assist each student in all aspects of designing and building the egg drop contraption.
The winners were determined by whose eggs made it through the competition without breaking.
This year’s event was themed “Aubie in Space,” and students were encouraged to build a capsule for Aubie to return from his space journey. Students were also encouraged to dress in their best space costumes.
“This event is always one of the highlights of our year, and this year proved to be even more special with our space theme,” said Clayton Ann Short, manager of Engineering K-12 Outreach. “Anything that motivates kids to get excited about engineering is a plus. We hear, year in and year out, that this event does just that.”
Following The Drop, the Office of Recruiting, Scholarships and Outreach issues a survey seeking feedback about the event and program.
One remark especially stood out to the staff.
“We drove from Jackson, MS! My son has been part of the future engineering club since he was 4, and we finally made an event,” the comment read. “He fell in love with the school and had an amazing time! This was such a great event promoting engineering! Thank you! We will be back!”
Next year’s event is tentatively scheduled for March.
Media Contact: , austinp@auburn.edu, 334-844-2444