Author: Bekir Cevizci
The first activity we planned as a school within the scope of 2020 STEM Discovery Campaign Activities was “Unbreakable Egg” Experiment. We made the announcement of our activity to all our students. We received feedback from students with the Google form we created. 137 of our 259 students made a return that they wanted to participate in this activity. We divided 137 students into groups according to their ages. We carried out the first activity with 32 students in the 9-11 age group. By dividing these 32 students into 8 subgroups of 4 people, we enabled them to work together.
The Event Scenario
We gave eight subgroups one egg each and asked the question: “What kind of design should we apply to the eggs so that when we throw them from the fourth floor to our school ground, the eggs will reach the ground unbroken?”
In the beginning
We created our event in four main sections. In the first part, we gave the student groups 10 minutes to discuss about this. In the second part, we asked the students to draw the shapes they created on their heads on paper. We gave 20 minutes for this.
The students continued to brainstorm while drawing the designs. Because they saw that some points they thought did not match the reality when they drew and felt the need to design again.
Later on
We asked the students to make their designs with real materials. We enabled our school to get the material they want from the warehouse. With the thought of using unlimited materials, many groups received unnecessary materials from the warehouse.
When they started making models, they realized that using unlimited materials could not lead them to the conclusion, and a new concept emerged in their heads: material knowledge. They revised the design they drew and re-created it to allow the use of appropriate materials.
It was great to see the students experiencing their learning processes and reaching some concepts with the method of invention. Each group of four was distributed to various parts of the school and finalized their designs within 40 minutes we gave them.
In the fourth section, we asked each group to appoint a representative. Representatives remained on the fourth floor of the school, while other students stayed in the garden. Meanwhile, parents had come.
Finally
In the fourth section, we asked each group to appoint a representative. Representatives remained on the fourth floor of the school, while other students stayed in the garden. Meanwhile, parents had come.
We started our experience in an environment with students and parents. In the enthusiasm, excitement and joy, representatives of all eight groups left their design down the window, one by one. I have never seen such a fun learning environment before. Of the eight groups, the egg in the design made by only one group was broken. The other eggs reached the ground firmly. Both students and parents saw that: STEM keeps the eggs alive.
