By: Srimayi Tenali
Written on January 10th, 2018
On day 4 of teaching, An and I planned a few hands-on activities for the students. After learning about the engineering design process and various forms of engineering, the students were to design a product that improved life and prepare a brief pitch to potential investors. We were aiming for the students to identify an area in their life that could be improved and then create a product-based solution.
What we did not expect, however, was for the students to come up with such detailed and creative products! I was taken very aback by the magnitude of problems which that students chose to tackle, and thoroughly impressed by the innovative solutions they provided. Each group of students delivered such a strong presentation that if I was an investor, I would have been sold.
A few examples of the ideas that came up:
A smart pillbox and corresponding mobile app that allows caretakers to monitor a patient’s pill usage and increase ease of medicating
A faucet attachment to optimize water flow depending on the sink shape and volume, therefore minimizing water waste
A guitar string attachment that would aid beginner musicians in learning and playing various chords
A pressurized, air-based flushing mechanism for toilets to minimize water consumption
The ideas thoughtfully addressed a wide range of issues. This activity was actually just meant to be a quick precursor to our main building challenge, something to practice the design process, and the students quickly excelled at it.
Our main challenge was more hands-on: an egg drop!
Each team (of 3-4 students) was given 6 straws, 3 sheets of printer paper, 10 toothpicks, 1 sheet of large construction paper, 5 feet of tape, and glue. In 30 minutes, they were to building a capsule that would protect their egg when dropped at various heights.
The reactions when the students saw what they were given was priceless — that’s it? We don’t get more? Is it even possible? As they began building, the labs filled with chatter (lots of “Walla?” and “Yalla!”, or “Really?” and “Let’s go!”). Whispers soon turned into trash talk as the teams began to barter supplies with one another and predict their successes.
In order to have everyone test their designs at once, we shortened each class and moved up the schedule so that both classes could combine for the final test! We went outside to the basketball courts and assigned each team a number for a big dramatic drop.
Gathering around in excited circles, the students eagerly watched, laughed, and cheered as each team’s design was put to the test. Most designs were unsuccessful at the very first height — but two of the six teams (Teams 2 and 5) safely protected their egg from a 5-foot drop! We then continued to move higher with these two teams, finding the maximum height at which their capsule continued to work. Team 5 broke their egg at the second level, but Team 2’s design worked all the way up until the highest row of the bleachers, which was probably around a 10-foot drop! The all 9th grade team was very proud of their victory, and the winners are pictured below with their design.
We were so excited that students of all ages came together the way that they did for this challenge! The product ideas and then capsule designs were all incredibly well thought-out. If the students are able to execute such good ideas in this limited time, I’m so eager to see what they come up with during our Hackathon!
Here's a photo of the whole class after the competition:
