The Egg-Citement Builds for Fairfield’s Young Engineers

Through imagination and teamwork, fifth graders took some flimsy materials to make tall and sturdy towers during a STEAM challenge at Fairfield Elementary School.

The students were tasked with using newspapers and masking tape to build the free-standing structures that could support a raw egg at the top. Working with Magnet and STEAM teacher Jennifer Tand, youngsters followed the engineering design process by first drawing up a plan before building.

Ms. Tand said that this was the first of many collaborative activities this year that will focus on science, technology, engineering, the arts and math. The challenges will allow students to hone their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The tower challenge was a precursor to an egg drop activity and part of a science unit on the strength of an egg.