Despite the unusually hot temperatures on 18 June, our Grade 8 students took part in the Explore Science Competition at Herzogenriedpark in Mannheim.

Students were challenged to design and build an "iZelle" – a lightweight protective shell with a crumple zone made only from paper, cardboard, and glue. The objective was to protect a raw egg from damage when dropped from heights of 50 cm, 100 cm, and finally 150 cm.

In preparation for the competition, students investigated the science behind crash tests and crumple zones, exploring how engineers apply physics principles to improve road safety. This knowledge was then applied to the design, construction, and testing of their own prototypes.

Throughout the project, perseverance, teamwork, and a willingness to refine ideas were consistently demonstrated. The iterative nature of engineering design became evident as prototypes were modified and improved through repeated testing.

We are delighted to report that three of our five designs successfully passed all three drop tests. Even more exciting, one of the successful models was also the lightest, which may place it in contention for a prize, as weight was a key factor in the final ranking.

The competition provided an excellent opportunity for students to apply scientific knowledge to a real-world engineering challenge while developing problem-solving and design skills.

We look forward to hearing the official results and congratulate all participants for representing the school so well.