|
Week 1: Egg Drop (10/6/09) |
This week, we decided to teach the Engineering Design Process with an Egg Drop. First, we went through the EDP with the hypothetical problem of our feet being tired (the solution being to design a chair for us to sit in.) Next, we introduced the concept of an Egg Drop and had the kids design prototypes of how they were going to go about protecting the egg. We made worksheets for both the EDP and the prototype sketch, and this seemed to help them organize their ideas as well as give the teachers a way to monitor that every student was participating (by collecting the worksheets.) To build their protective structures, we gave them balloons, paper, rubber bands, cotton balls, and anything else we could find in the STOMP closet. For next time, we thought that egg cartons or cardboard would have been a good idea, too. The kids really got into this activity and I thought it was a great choice to get them excited for the rest of the semester. The fact that most of the eggs cracked didn't seem to discourage them at all and helped to fuel our discussion of what things we could design differently next time. At the end of the lesson, Jay asked our class, "What were the easiest and hardest parts of this activity?" "The hardest part was blowing up the balloons!" one student answered. "But the easiest part was having fun!" another girl replied. I couldn't have said it better myself.
|