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| Rhema
Christian School Grade 6 students
show off the contraptions they
built to protect a raw egg on
its launch out of a school window
on Friday. |
Raw egg launch
'a lot of fun'
June 9, 2004 -
Brian Lavender. Special to rhema.ca
Inspired by the solution-oriented teamwork
that made the Mars Lander mission possible
a few months ago, Brian Lavender's Grade
6 students at Rhema recently embarked
on a mission of their own -- to launch
a raw egg out of a second-storey window
and give it a survivable landing.
On Friday, Rhema students gathered for
the launch. The class of 25 students
was divided into six groups. A total
of two class hours were devoted to listing
the specifics of the challenge and completing
the craft. Early tests were mostly disastrous
but each group devised their own methods
of slowing the craft, packing the cargo
and designing cushioning devices for
the lander.
There weren't many rules except for
the fact the lander couldn't be greater
than 100 grams in mass -- average
medium egg is 55 grams -- and the
lander couldn't have any assistance
from above or below.
On launch day, five of the six crafts
were under the 100 grams mass restriction
so all systems were ready to go. With
names like "The Contraption,"
"Sherman," "Hope,"
and "Tim," the landers were
ready.
The mixed success of earlier attempts
was on everyone's mind. As the window
opened and the landers appeared, the
crowd hushed. One after another, a
variety of parachutes, air bags, padding
and rigging were employed with great
success as all six eggs landed intact.
The ultimate winner was a modest
lander named "Tim", on account
of the Tim Hortons coffee cup that
was at the centre of the device. Weighing
in at just 21 grams, the lander broke
the tie for first place. The colourful
and balloon-covered "Sherman"
won the crowd's approval as the most
interesting lander.
Students report an enjoyable aspect
of the project was the detailed look
at the Mars missions and the subsequent
teamwork that was inspired by it.
"The group problem-solving was
the best part," reports student
Christina Hill.
Michelle Rennick adds, "It was
simply a lot of fun."
A mini video documentary is now in
the works and will be shown on the
the last day of school.
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