PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SOUTH FLORIDA SCIENCE CENTER AND AQUARIUM/ESTEBAN PARCHUC

WEST PALM BEACH — Eager student engineers have a chance to get hands-on, minds-on science exploration experience at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium’s 29th annual Drop it, Build it, Float it, Launch it, Thrill it Engineering Competition.

Organizers say elementary, middle and high school students from all over South Florida are invited to compete for $5,000 in cash and prizes.  The competition takes place 9 a.m. April 11. The deadline to register is April 8.

The contest celebrates engineering ingenuity with entrants able to participate in five different design contests.  Competitors will see if they have a good egg or Humpty Dumpty after their egg container takes a three-story drop from a cherry picker in the Drop It competition; or if their bottle rocket will blast off or fizzle out during the Launch It competition.  Bridges will be built, floatable boats will be crafted and roller coasters will operate as students compete for prize money, awarded to the first through third place winners in each category.  The Florida Engineering Society will judge the competition.

“We are very excited to be celebrating nearly 30 years as the host of the annual Drop it, Build it, Float it, Launch it, Thrill it Engineering Competition,” said Lew Crampton, Science

Center CEO.  “Over the last year, we have tremendously increased our educational offerings to get students interested in careers in science.  Drop it, Build it has always been a popular annual contest, but now we have monthly programs like Hack Shack for computer coding and GEMS Club for young girls.”

Crampton said the center has a mission to “open every mind to science.”

For registration and other information, please visit www.sfsciencecenter.org or call 561-370-7710. The contest entry cost $3 for each registrant and includes a complimentary lunch for the participant, along with complimentary admission for the participant and one adult. The community is invited to watch the excitement as local kids demonstrate their ingenuity and science skills.  In addition to individual prizes, a special prize will be awarded to the school with the most participants.

For more information on the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium’s upcoming events, Like the Science Center on Facebook and follow it on Twitter @SFScienceCenter.