WATSONVILLE >> As anyone who has struck or thrown an egg against a hard surface knows, they break very easily. Dropping it from a large height will inevitably result in a mess of yolk and eggshell fragments.

But what if it didn’t have to be that way? What if people could invent a contraption that could keep eggshells fully intact and withstand being dropped from a large height? Once again, residents of Watsonville will test this out as the city’s Engineering Department hosts the 22nd annual Egg Drop competition Feb. 21.Participants are being tasked with creating containers where eggs, serving as “eggstronauts,” will be launched from the top story of the Watsonville Civic Plaza parking garage to see if they can survive the fall, including a passage through a 14-inch hoop, without any cracks. Participants will have the opportunity to enter a raffle for a prize, and those whose eggs remain intact after the fall will receive a second ticket to up their chances.

Each entrant will be provided with one raw egg and a plastic bag to minimize a mess if it breaks. The containers they create must not be made of wood or any other material that could shatter, or contain liquids or gel substances, styrofoam packing peanuts or duct tape or other kinds of reinforced tape. Each entry is allowed one drop. The containers will be launched by a designated official and must land on the ground and not be caught. Participants are responsible for cleaning up and disposing of their eggs and repairing any damage to public or private property.

Kids will have an opportunity to pick up materials and receive help in building their egg-protectant devices at the Environmental Science Workshop, 120 2nd St. Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement students will be allowed to have group and multiple egg entries to comply with MESA rules. Minors will be provided with permission slips and emergency forms to be signed by a parent or legal guardian at the time of registration.

The event will be held in conjunction with Engineers Week, an annual observance held the week of George Washington’s birthday that honors engineers and technicians as well as the K-12 students aspiring to be in these positions or utilizing their concepts. This year’s Engineering Week is Feb. 16-22 and boasts the theme “Design Your Future.”

The competition is 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 21 in the alley between the Civic Plaza and post office, 225 Main St. Participants may register at the library or on-site before or on the day of the event. The library is located at 275 Main St. and is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays.