Object:

To build a free-standing structure with drinking straws and straight pins that supports a large chicken egg at the greatest distance from the ground.

 

Materials provided by the student:

100 straws, 100 straight pins, 1 large, hard-boiled chicken egg with the shell intact.

 

Rules:

1.        The structure must be built in 40 minutes by one person only. Coaching from the sidelines is not allowed. Students may start late if they wish but must stop work when time is called for the group.

2.        There will not be any special timing for late students.

3.        Straws may be a maximum of 8 inches (20.3 cm) long and 1/4 inch (0.63 cm) in diameter. The straight pins may be a maximum of 1-1/4 inch (3.2 cm) long. The egg must be hard-boiled and undamaged.

4.        Contestants must remain at ground level while constructing their tower. No ladder, chair, stool or other device of this type may be used to erect the tower.

5.        The tower must be free standing on a smooth floor. It cannot be anchored with tape or pins.

6.        All towers must support the egg for 2 minutes after the 40 minute time limit to be sure they are stable. Students are responsible for shielding their tower from bumps and errant breezes during this time. They cannot re-erect a tower that has fallen over.

 

Judging:

        The judges will measure the height of the egg at its lowest point perpendicular to the floor.

         Participants will verify that their materials meet contest standards on their scoring card.

 

Comments:

     Students should arrive 5 minutes before the contest starting time.

 

Selected Reading:

        Design Technology: Children's Engineering, ISBN 1-85000-590-7

 

 

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The Great Egg Tower Contest