I know that you've heard of the classic "Egg-Drop" experiment and probably even participated in it at some point in your life. Well, we put a twist on the experiment. Essentially, students were asked to construct some type of container that will keep a raw egg from cracking when put through several tests. While students will definitely be dropping the egg, they will also be throwing it a certain distance and putting it through a pressure test (vice or mallet, not sure yet). If the egg withstands the first test then it can move on to the second test and so on (somewhat competitive but it will be fun).
More details:
Do not test the container with an egg beforehand. The container should be able to be opened and closed several times, not sealed entirely (we have to check the eggs after each test). Students should use materials from around the house, which can be manipulated in any way. Please do not buy special materials.
Please remember: Its all about planning, predicting, testing (at school) and reflecting. It is important to remember that in many engineering projects, its about drawing conclusions, not getting it perfect or "right" the first time. We love to reflect at QAE and learn from our experiences. Therefore, the result of the product should be student generated. Feel free to ask questions that get students to push their thinking! Who knows, maybe they will have an opportunity to try again in the future!