PALM BAY, FL (May 1, 2014) – Space Florida, the state’s spaceport authority and aerospace development organization, will host the 5th Annual Planetary Lander Egg Drop Competition at Palm Bay Magnet High School this Saturday, May 3rd.
Teams of Florida K-12 students will build “planetary landers,” from which a raw egg – symbolizing a space payload – must remain intact as it drops nearly 20 feet to the ground – similar to how a real NASA lander would deliver a payload on the Moon, Mars or an asteroid. Teams will build their landers to fit into a 10x10x12-inch container and the landers may be constructed of all forms of aluminum, plastic, wood or soft foam. Elementary, Middle School and High School prize categories will be awarded. Prizes are being provided by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, NanoRacks, SpaceX and XCOR Aerospace.
The competition will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and the public is invited.
“Palm Bay Magnet High School is excited to serve as a host for this year’s Egg Drop Competition,” said Stefany Colona, Palm Bay Magnet High School Coordinating Magnet Teacher. “We have a goal to bring innovation and hands-on learning to students. This type of program excites students, preparing them to continue into higher education and eventually serve as talented additions to Florida’s high-tech workforce.”
The Annual Egg Drop Competition was developed by Space Florida to promote student interest in aerospace science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
More than 150 Florida K-12 school students will participate in the competition this Saturday.
For more information, visit http://www.spaceflorida.gov/r-d/planetary-lander-egg-drop.
