Watched anxiously by about 20 students and their teacher, the delicate parachutes fluttered in the wind, before falling gently to the ground of SCIE. Again and again we held our breaths; with every tension follows a burst of cheers and laughter. This is a G1 physics class of compulsory class 1, a communication of innovation and creativity.
Fantastic egg skydiving in physics class. [Video/Eliza Tian]
Lead by the physics teacher Elaine, a class of G1 students rushed out of the physics classroom to participate in an exciting and challenging activity: the egg skydiving competition. Participants were required a parachute, which had been set for them as homework the previous lesson, and a raw egg. The aim was to drop the egg attached to the parachutes from above without breaking them. It was going to be a knockout match that increase in difficulty as the starting level move higher and higher up the building.
Around 2:10 PM, the students gathered at the second floor, where all the meticulously prepared apparatuses were on display. While setting the parachutes up for the flight, they gasped with admiration at each-others’ work. The atmosphere was alive with everyone talking and working. “Let’s take a group photo before the eggs get smashed.” said Elaine.
The first display was a “maiden flight” of many parachutes, everyone was slightly nervous though it was only the second floor. The first flock of parachutes successfully landed with a few small dents on the eggs, boosting our enthusiasm. Elaine was impressed! Another row of parachutes entered the competition in our applause, they were from Swan’s group, Victoria’s group, Mick’s group, Anny’s group, Mike’s group, Vivian’s group and Candy’s group. The results were mainly satisfactory. Unfortunately, one group’s egg was broken.
In the second round on the third floor, another group had failed. But they showed no sadness in their failure, “I enjoy watching others fly their parachutes as well as flying my own,” said a student Anny, “This activity is engaging, and I’m glad that I took a part.”
After this, we move up one layer after another, continuing to face harsher challenges. The parachutes that won out in each round was astounding in some way, some were light and ornate, some had professional shapes, and some were very artistic. One remarkable group tied their egg safe and secure in the center of four balloons. We watch the small umbrellas spread out in the wind, swaying, rippling, even spinning as they fall to the ground, and sometimes to the bushes.
Time flies. When the bell rang, everyone was still in wonderland. “I’m really surprised by the results.” said Elaine, “I’m so glad to see the students having fun and learning.” Unfortunately, Michelle’s group couldn’t participate due to a shortage of eggs. They would have to wait until the class of Wednesday.
The two group presentations in the class on Wednesday were also successful. The work of Swan’s group flew smoothly , but was swept onto the fourth floor by the wind. Michelle’s successfully survived the challenge from the third and sixth floors, marking the end of the egg skydiving campaign.
Each time I let go of my hand bravely and nervously, each time I watched the landing of my small parachute, each time I cried eagerly to my friends below: “What do you say?” Each time they cried back: “not broken!” I knew that not only parachutes soar in the sky; our minds do; our youth do; we do.
- Photo by 19121 Alyssa
- Written by 19056 Anny
