Ms. Hall gave the class an exciting challenge — build a container that would protect a raw egg when dropped from the top of the school stairs. They had one week to prepare.
Teams of three were allowed to use any materials they could bring from home. Finn, Dalia, and Rob spent two lunch breaks brainstorming before they settled on their design.
They built a small box out of cardboard and filled it with bubble wrap on every side. Then they wrapped the egg in cotton balls and put it right in the center.
Some teams used plastic bags full of water. One team used a parachute made from a trash bag. Another team used a tube packed tightly with foam noodles.
On drop day, the whole class gathered at the top of the stairs. Ms. Hall dropped each container one at a time. The first two eggs cracked loudly on impact. The class groaned.
When it was Finn's team's turn, Finn held his breath. Ms. Hall dropped the box. It bounced once, then stopped. Everyone went quiet as Rob opened the box.
The egg was completely uncracked. The class erupted in cheers. Even teams whose eggs had cracked clapped for them.
That afternoon, Finn wrote in his journal that failing at something and figuring out why is half of science. He thought the other half might be jumping up and down when it works.