Crash Testing Activity Puts the Egg in the Driver's Seat

摘要

AN excellent common activity in technology and engineering classes involves dropping an egg from a significant height in a protective device designed and built by students. With the classic "egg drop" as an inspiration, I have my students make modifications to a small crash test vehicle that speeds down a track and crashes into a cinder block. Their twofold challenge involves designing a restraint system to keep the occupant (the raw egg) from being ejected during a crash and also designing ways to dissipate the energy to minimize injury to the occupant.