Carson City, Nev. (Sept. 2, 2025) — Students at Empire Elementary School in Carson City whipped their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills into a smashing test during a school-wide Egg Drop Challenge that had the whole campus sizzling with excitement last Friday.
Every classroom, from kindergarten through fifth grade, designed and built protective containers to keep a raw egg safe when dropped to the playground from the school’s rooftop. Using recycled materials from the school’s Innovation Station (STEM Classroom) such as cardboard, balloons, tape, cotton, bubble wrap and other everyday supplies, students brainstormed, tested and refined their designs to prepare for the big Humpty Dumpty event.
“The Egg Drop Challenge is a fun way to inspire curiosity and hands-on learning,” said Laura Ricks, instructional coach and literacy specialist at Empire Elementary School, who helped organize the event. “Our students weren’t just building egg containers—they were learning about problem-solving, teamwork and the scientific process.”
Cheers and laughter filled the air as Vice Principal Nathan Brigham released each student-created contraption from the designated drop point. With eyes glued to the ground below, students eagerly waited to see if their egg had survived the decent intact.
“Even when an egg cracked, students saw it as a chance to rethink their design,” Mr. Brigham added. “That’s exactly the kind of mindset we want to build—resilience, creativity and a love of discovery.”
The activity was part of the school’s commitment to fostering STEM education across all grade levels. By engaging in real-world problem-solving, students learned to test ideas, learn from mistakes and celebrate success—whether their egg survived the drop or not.
