Written by Deepak Dennison
What happens when one drops an egg from a height? It breaks, right? This activity is to challenge our makers to drop an egg from a height, without breaking it, by combining the magic of science and making. The primary objective of this activity is to show the students how applying science concepts can be integral in solving real-world problems and also how one can implement the science concepts that they learn from textbooks in the real world through the process of making. This activity is a perfect blend of collaboration, scientific thinking, and loads of fun. Now let’s get started!
Jump to instructions
Resources needed per team
Straws
Polythene Carry Bags
Cardboard
Ice cream Stick
Thread
Sticking Tape
Eggs (at least one per team)
Sand (to clear the mess)
Time Needed
40 minutes of activity + 5 minutes of execution per team
Skill(s) Focussed
Problem Solving | Collaboration | Creativity
Aligned Profession(s)
Engineer | Scientist
Instructions to be given to students
Step 0:
The primary goal of the activity is to drop an egg from a significant height without breaking it. The egg is to be placed in an apparatus and dropped. The apparatus should be designed in a way such that it can prevent the egg from breaking. The apparatus can be made only using the materials determined by the facilitator.
Step 1:
The activity can begin with brainstorming and ideation. As a team, the students should come up with designs for their apparatus.
Step 2:
With the resources allocated, the team can venture into making their apparatus within the stipulated time.
Step 3:
It’s showtime. One member from each team with their apparatuses goes to an elevated spot decided by the facilitator, from where they can test their creation. Get ready to witness the breakable and unbreakable eggs!
Special Instructions for Facilitators
Focus on scientific principles
Encourage students to focus on the scientific principles that they are aware of, especially the ones associated with force and aerodynamics to build their apparatuses. For instance, the facilitators can nudge them to think how force acts on a body during impact and how the force can be handled to reduce the damage, how speed plays a role on the impact and how air can be used as resistance during the fall of the egg to reduce the power of impact. In short, nudge the students to put their Physics knowledge in action.
Frugality is good
This is a versatile activity which can be done with very different kinds of materials. The facilitator can limit the amount of material available for each team to push them to be more creative with the usage of resources. Materials such as polythene bags can even be removed from the resources available for usage to level up the challenge.
Ruthlessly iterate
Encourage students to iterate ruthlessly during the process of making. Instead of eggs, they can utilise a substitute to keep testing as they make the apparatus.
Handling with care
This activity has an immense potential to become messy easily and is a great opportunity to let students handle things with care. Clearly instruct that they won’t be provided with a replacement egg if they break the provided egg before execution.
Be prepared to clear the mess
Keep sand and other cleaning equipment immediately accessible to clear the mess as they occur. Being prepared can be quite handy especially during the exhibition stage.
Have fun making and share the works of your students with the hashtag #projectprayogshala to get featured!
#physics #problemsolving #prayogskill #challenge #collaboration #creativity #mandatoryactivity