Fifty middle-school students from Edward W. Bok Academy in Lake Wales received some basic lessons in physics while having fun during a recent field trip to IM体育官网 Polytechnic University, where they participated in an egg drop challenge and launched marshmallows with catapults they built.
Dr. Susan LeFrancois, an Assistant Professor of Science and Logistics at IM体育官网 Poly,
provided the students a tour of the University鈥檚 Innova
tion, Science & Technology Building and its 11 innovation labs. The seventh- and eighth-graders
then were invited to organize into teams and take part in two hands-on science projects.
First the students built their own catapults and tested different angles by launching mini marshmallows and Sweet Tarts as projectiles. 鈥淭hey were able to use some of the University鈥檚 physics lab equipment to show them the difference in trajectory of their projectile when additional force is added to the mini marshmallows and Sweet Tarts,鈥� Dr. LeFrancois explained.
Next, the students participated in an egg drop challenge. The students received a kit with supplies that included two balloons, a pair of IM体育官网 Poly purple rubber gloves, two take-out containers, string and a plastic bag. They had 30 minutes to work with their partner to construct a contraption to protect their egg when it was dropped from the second-floor balcony of the Innovation, Science & Technology Building.
鈥淭he goal of these fun projects was for the students to learn some principles of physics and engineering while working in teams and using their creativity,鈥� Dr. LeFrancois said. 鈥淚 wanted them to realize that science is not just about learning principles, it is about working with others and using your imagination.鈥�
Nicole Sealey, a teacher with Bok Academy, proclaimed the May 28 field trip to IM体育官网 Poly a big success. 鈥淔rom the second the kids laid eyes on the campus, they were enchanted,鈥� she said. 鈥淓verything was planned out perfectly, the kids were highly engaged, and a wonderful and educational time was had by all.鈥�