Objective: To design and construct a protective structure within a cardboard box that will prevent damage to an egg or eggs which will be mailed to another classroom. An egg without any visible cracks or damage is scored as a success.
The Specifics
- No special handling, UPS, or Federal Express is allowed. Eggs should be mailed US first class. You may write “fragile” or “handle with care” on the box.
- Each team lines the walls and bottom of their cardboard box with one layer of paper towels (not crumpled, but flat). The team then uses any or all of the following materials to protect one, two, or three eggs from breakage:
- One standard sheet of copy paper (8.5″ x 11″)
- 15 drinking straws of any size
- 15 popsicle sticks, wooden splints, and/or tongue depressors
- 100cm string
- 100cm masking tape (up to 2.5cm wide)
- 5 rubber bands – all the same size
- A Ziploc sandwich bag
- Contestants may use a pair of scissors to cut the materials and no other tools.
- Grade A Large or Extra Large chicken eggs should be used. The egg must be sealed inside the plastic Ziploc bag.
- Boxes may be of any size. The box exterior should be completely wrapped in plastic and then covered with paper.
