Egg Drop Challenge

Recently, I did a STEAM workshop where students were tasked with participating in an exciting and challenging egg drop challenge. The objective of the challenge was to create a container that would protect an egg from cracking when dropped from a certain height.

To make the challenge more interesting and engaging, the students were given a range of materials to work with, most of which were recycled from past projects and could be easily found around the house. The younger students were provided with toilet paper rolls, paper, tape, string, straws, packing bubbles cups, "Easter grass", Styrofoam cups, balloons, pom-poms, and cardboard. On the other hand, the older students were given a budget and the cost of the materials that they would need to buy, and their objective was to build the best device while spending the least amount possible.

Before starting the challenge, we watched videos of successful egg drops and discussed different designs that could be used and how they might help. Some of the designs that we talked about included parachutes, padding, and shock-absorbing materials. The students were encouraged to think critically about their design and consider different factors that could impact their success, such as the weight of their container and the height of the drop.

Once we had discussed different ideas and designs, the students began drawing their designs on paper before starting the actual construction process. It was amazing to see the engineering process at work as the students worked diligently to create their designs. Some students created elaborate and intricate designs, while others kept it simple, but all the students worked with great enthusiasm and dedication.

In the end, not all students were able to create successful designs, and some eggs unfortunately did crack during the drop. However, the students all had a great time, and the workshop was a great opportunity for them to learn about problem-solving and critical thinking in a fun and interactive way.

Overall, the egg drop challenge was a great success and demonstrated the power of STEAM education in promoting creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills in students. It was amazing to see the students apply the concepts they had learned in a real-world context and work collaboratively to achieve their goals. The challenge was a great reminder that sometimes the most innovative solutions come from using materials that are readily available and applying creativity and resourcefulness to solve complex problems.