Fall STEM Activity: Pumpkin Drop Cushion Challenge (FALL01) | Middle School Physical Science (Grades 6-8)

? FALL STEM ACTIVITY: PUMPKIN DROP CUSHION CHALLENGE (FALL01)

3-Page STEM Activity | Print-Ready PDF Format

Combine autumn excitement with rigorous physics and impact mechanics! The Pumpkin Drop Cushion Challenge (FALL01) challenges middle school student teams to act as safety engineers, designing a crumple-zone landing pad using straws, index cards, and tape to protect a mini pumpkin dropped from 2 meters.

Students explore impulse and momentum (Force x Time), kinetic energy calculations, crumple zone mechanics, and force dissipation!

? WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS 3-PAGE PACKET?

• ? Page 1: Teacher Guide & Lesson Plan: NGSS alignment (MS-PS2-2, MS-ETS1-2), target science concepts, setup guide, expected student outcomes, answer keys, and math troubleshooting tips.

• ? Page 2: Student Mission Card & Blueprint: Real-world crash safety engineering scenario hook. Clear material limits box (newspaper, cotton/bubble wrap, box frame, tape, 2.0m drop height rule). Dedicated Crumple Zone & Impact Cushion Schematic sketching zone.

• ? Page 3: Testing Log & Scientific Reflection: Structured Data Testing Table (cushion mass g, drop height m, impact time duration, payload survival/crack status across 3 trials). Applied Math Connection (calculate Impact Time vs Force Reduction Ratios). Physics reflection questions.

? CORE STEM SKILLS COVERED:

• Crash Safety Engineering & Impulse-Momentum Physics

• Impact Force Reduction, Crumple Zone Dynamics & Deceleration

• Data Logging, Drop Height Measurements (m), and Force Distribution Math

• Collision Time Extension and Payload Protection Optimization

? WHY TEACHERS LOVE THIS RESOURCE:

• 3-Page Professional Layout: Includes a complete Page 1 Teacher Guide for seamless prep, keeping student lab sheets clean and ready to print!

• Low-Cost Materials: Uses simple newspaper, cotton balls or bubble wrap, small cardboard boxes, and masking tape.

• High-Impact Physics Lab: Transforms crash safety principles into an exciting, high-stakes drop challenge for Grades 6-8!

• Format: High-resolution, print-ready PDF format (3 Pages).

Target Grades: 6th, 7th, 8th / Middle School

Subject Area: Physical Science, Physics, Forces and Motion, Impulse and Momentum, Fall STEM Labs

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