GBM students participate in egg-drop challenge
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News From left: Jordan Marcus, Reno Routh, Chris Allen and Rosie Sims build their container to protect an egg from a 10-foot drop.

Six, seventh and eighth grade students from Gulf Breeze Middle School participated in Siemens Science Day April 11 and 12, and had the opportunity to learn first hand about the importance of math, science, technology and teamwork.

The event began April 11, with students watching a video about how math and science help the world go 'round. The students were given an egg drop challenge task to design a container that will stop an egg from breaking when it's dropped from 10 feet using only 15 straws, 10 Popsicle sticks, and one meter of tape. Siemens provided all materials used for the project.

"We looked at different ways to build it. If your first idea isn't working, you can always try again," seventh grader Katie McIver said.

The Siemens Science Day activity enabled students to learn and practice problem solving and teamwork skills that are crucial to building confidence, competence and creative thinking.

"I learned that we are smarter than we thought," sixth grader student Jacob Macan said in reference to his group's successful egg container. Macan's group developed a rectangular design that employed more straws than Popsicle sticks.

A representative for Siemens was on hand to guide the students in their efforts.

"It's great that Siemens encourages its employees to reach out to our local schools with math and science initiatives," Siemens Building Technologies General Manager Bobby Marcus said. "Hopefully we've inspired students to study math and science, and one day become the next generation math and science teacher, engineer or Nobel scientist."

Marcus also mentioned that Siemens executives realize that math and science comprehension in the United States is relatively low when compared to other countries worldwide.

"Given the fact that the United States currently ranks 23rd and 28th respectively in math and science compared to 41 other industrialized countries, it's now more

important than ever for companies like Siemens to respond to our nation's concerns about the interest in these fields among young students," Vice President of the Siemens Foundation, James Whaley said. "Siemens Science Day is a great way to energize students about studying math and science."

Siemens Science Day's mission is to promote science literacy throughout the country by providing a day of hands-on activities that will assist young people developing the knowledge, skills, and self-confidence needed to succeed in school and in the workforce. The program allows students the opportunity to talk to professionals about the importance of math and science, their impact on society and to perform hands-on science activities. The students learn that math and science are "cool" subjects that can lead to exciting career opportunities. Siemens is committed to academic excellence and seeks to strengthen ties between students, schools, colleges, universities and local program providers in order to promote students' interest in science, math and technology.