At the physics egg drop Jan. 23 the good news was more eggs survived than those that did not.

Physics teachers Randy Solsman and Matt Bryant assigned the task of constructing a protective holder in which students could put a large, raw, Grade A chicken egg. When they dropped the package from a height of 15 feet, the egg was not to break, although the container could. If the egg did break, then up to 10 points were deducted from the project grade, based on partial egg survival. Unfortunately, parachutes were not allowed.

Seniors Andrew Bader and Andy Bott were the first to step up to the balcony of the Barry Gymnasium during Bryant's second period class. Their construction was a cardboard cylinder filled with Styrofoam packing "peanuts" surrounding a padded holder that contained the egg. As Bader dropped the invention from about three feet higher than was required, the cylinder came crashing to the ground.

The egg did not break.

"Bader's design was excellent, and our execution was flawless," Bott said.

That's not to say everyone was successful. Senior Andrew Wenum and junior Clint Ridell had a Tupperware container with cotton balls glued to the sides surrounding the egg. Unfortunately, after a hard thump to the ground, the egg was shattered inside.

"We didn't bring our A game today," Wenum said.

"Yeah, we brought our C game, so we'll probably end up getting a C," Ridell added.

Designs were as varied as the individuals making them. Among the more creative ideas was that of seniors Megan Reed and Katie Arbogast, a tissue box filled with popcorn. It was another successful drop, much to the girls' liking.

Reed was happy the popcorn worked out.

"All I have to say is, popcorn rocks!" she said.