On June 6, students from Deer Meadow School dropped raw eggs from a ladder truck in the name of science.It was Alan Bouliane's Grade 6 science class, which was learning about flight and parachute design, that participated in what Bouliane called the“Egg Drop Challenge.”Rules for the challenge were simple. Students applied lessons from class to craft their parachutes and tried landing eggs without breaking them.The Olds Fire Department participated as well, lending a ladder truck, in which students were lifted about 15 metres into the air, where they dropped their projects.“Only one other year we've actually had the bucket truck come in,” said Bouliane. “We've been lucky to arrange for the fire department to come in to volunteer the bucket truck.”Jennifer Alcock-Boyd was one of three firefighters helping out by securing students in the bucket. She said being part of the Egg Drop Challenge allowed the fire department to branch out in the community.“It gets the kids familiar with who we are and what we do and maybe sparks some interest for some future firefighters,” Alcock-Boyd said. “And it's a heck of a lot of fun.”The practical lesson was also well-received by students.“It was really fun. I really liked going up in the bucket truck,” said Jaeden Cameron, one of 10 students who safely landed their eggs.Many parachutes were made with a combination of a plastic bag, string and something to cradle the egg.On a number of drops, the egg's descent was smooth until the final impact ejected it onto the pavement.Cameron's parachute featured a wicker basket with a cloth over it to secure her precious cargo.“I just found this basket and we had a bunch of cloths so I decided that … would work the best and I tested it and it didn't fall out,” she said.In classmate Mishayla Martinson's case, trial and error was also key to making an effective parachute.“The first time I tried it, it didn't work at all. So I had to completely change the design. I just made sure when I put the egg in, that it wouldn't roll around,” Martinson said.Bouliane said that regardless of the results, students thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.“(It's) lots of fun. It's hands-on, kids are having a blast,” Bouliane said. “Some are working, some have cracked. They're all having a great time.”In addition to Martinson and Cameron, the following students successfully landed their eggs without breaking them: Zoe Chambers, Wesley Wells, Natalyn Donaghy, Katie Skinner-Supernant, Ethan Lutz, Cody Lappage, Zoe Cullen and Julianna [email protected]
