Re: How can i make an egg catcher

Elsa,

If I were you, I'd start reading oragami books, because it sounds like you have a lot of creative folding to do! This is definitely an interesting variation on the classic egg drop problem. Besides the oragami book, I'd also get a lot of construction paper and eggs too, because you're going to need to do a lot testing.

The whole wind thing could definitely be a problem. It could blow away your egg catcher, and also blow the egg far enough off course to miss the catcher all together. So you're probably going to want to make your egg-catcher low to the ground to avoid the wind, but also large so that it can catch the egg wherever it may blow.

One idea may be to use one sheet of construction paper to "funnel" the egg, and the other sheet to cushion it. If you take a piece of paper, and fold it corner to corner both ways, then fold it in half both ways in the opposite direction, it kind of forms it's self into a crude funnel. You could also make a more classic funnel by rolling the paper into a cone, but it may not be as wide. It all depends on how much aim you'll get.

For the cushioning, you'll have to make the paper "give" a little bit to slow the egg gently so it doesn't break. Though crude, crumpling the paper may do a good job. Also folding it like an according may make a nice spring to cushion the fall.

Like I said in the beginning, you're probably going to need to do a lot of testing. Brainstorm with friends, family, etc. and try to think of all sorts of ways to build your catcher. Since you're only using 2 pieces of construction paper, at least building many prototype units will be fairly quick and easy. Also, if you're allowed to use tape, can you tape your catcher to the ground so it doesn't blow away?

Good luck with your project. If you need more help or have more questions, please feel free to write back to the Mad Scientists, and they can direct your questions back to me.

Your Mad Scientist,
Mike Scannell