What explains the result?
A longer stopping time and spread-out force can reduce the impact transferred to a fragile payload.
STEM · GRADES 4–9
Engineer an egg-drop capsule
INVESTIGATION QUESTIONHow does cushion amount change the maximum drop height a payload survives?
● ILLUSTRATIVE SCIENCE MODEL
ENGLISH CAPTIONS
Set one safe test height. A fixed starting height makes the cushioning comparison fair.
0.0 / 3.0 s
Where does this matter?
Packaging engineers test cushioning for shipping, helmets, and protective cases.
What should you keep in mind?
Shown heights are placeholders for the learning model, not validated survival thresholds. A real design must be tested with a safe low-height protocol and adult oversight.
DEDICATED EGG-DROP DESIGN TEST · GRADES 5–9
Protect the
payload
Build identical paper capsules with one, three or five cushioning layers. Raise the same virtual test height in controlled steps and record the last passing height for each design.
ONE VARIABLE: CUSHION LAYERSSAME CAPSULE · SAME PAYLOAD · SAME DROP SURFACE
SIMULATED DROP SHAFT · 30 CM STEPS30 CM TEST
180 cm150 cm120 cm90 cm60 cm30 cm
FIXED LANDING SURFACE
PAYLOAD STATUSAWAITING TEST1 CUSHION LAYERS · 30 CM
ENGINEERING NOTEBOOK
Maximum passing height by padding
No design has been tested yet. Select one padding amount and begin with the lowest height.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Packaging, helmets and spacecraft landers manage impacts by increasing stopping time, absorbing energy and spreading load. A pass in this simple model is an illustration, not evidence about real packaging.