STEM challenge build something to protect the egg when dropped

Science

• The child learned about the concept of forces and how they affect the motion of objects. They had to consider the force of gravity and how it would affect the egg when dropped.
• They also learned about engineering design principles as they had to brainstorm, plan, and build a structure to protect the egg. They had to consider different materials and their properties to ensure the structure's effectiveness.
• The activity allowed the child to understand the concept of energy transfer. They had to prevent the energy from the impact of the fall from reaching the egg, which required them to think about how the energy could be absorbed or dissipated.
• Lastly, the child learned about the scientific method as they had to make predictions, test their structure, and evaluate the results to improve their design.

Continued development in this activity can involve exploring different materials and their properties to find the most effective ones for protecting the egg. The child can also experiment with different structural designs and test their effectiveness using different heights or angles of drops. Additionally, they can research real-life examples of structures designed to protect fragile objects during transportation or accidents to gain further insight into the principles behind their own designs.

Book Recommendations

• The Egg Drop Challenge by Jennifer Swanson: This book provides an in-depth look at the science behind protecting an egg during a drop. It explores different materials, designs, and real-life applications.
• Egg-straordinary Structures by Michael Dahl: This book introduces the engineering principles behind building structures to protect fragile objects. It includes hands-on activities and experiments related to egg drop challenges.
• STEM Labs for Middle Grades: Egg Drops and Parachutes by Marylou Morano Kjelle: This book offers step-by-step instructions and guided investigations for conducting egg drop experiments. It covers scientific concepts, engineering design, and problem-solving skills.