Unconventional Approaches in Science: Focusing on the "Humpty Dumpty" Concepts
In a world where learning meets play, Humpty Dumpty has taken on a new role as an educational tool for children. By incorporating this beloved nursery rhyme character into science experiments, children can engage in hands-on learning while having fun.
One such experiment is the Egg Drop Challenge, where children design protective "shells" or packaging to prevent an egg—either raw or hard-boiled—from breaking when dropped from a height. This activity encourages experimental design, control of variables, and iterative improvement, as children formulate hypotheses about which materials best absorb impact, test different designs, and analyse results.
Another interesting experiment is Egg Strength Testing. Here, kids investigate the forces required to crack eggs by applying pressure in different ways (e.g., on the ends vs. the side). They predict which orientations can withstand more force and design experiments to test this, reinforcing concepts of structural engineering and experimental controls.
The Effect of Liquids on Eggshells is another intriguing experiment. Students explore how various household liquids (vinegar, soda, water) affect eggshell integrity over time. They design controlled experiments, record observations, and explain chemical reactions such as calcium carbonate dissolution, practicing hypothesis formulation and data collection.
Comparing Boiled vs. Raw Egg Rotations offers an opportunity for children to investigate inertia and rotational motion. By spinning raw and hard-boiled eggs, kids can hypothesize about differences, perform trials, and analyse the physics behind the behaviour—encouraging observation and scientific explanation.
For those seeking more creative experimental design, older children could incorporate variables such as height, surface type, egg type, or protective materials in a systematic way, documenting procedures, controls, data, and conclusions to solidify their understanding of the scientific process.
For a different take on the Humpty Dumpty theme, why not build a wall for Humpty Dumpty? Construct a wall of the same size, roll a marble towards it, and use the same force behind the marble in each test. You can use something to stick your wall together, such as glue or tape. You can test walls using materials such as sugar cubes, LEGO, and sweets and candy.
To test the strength of Humpty Dumpty, stick a cardboard Humpty Dumpty to a wall using different materials like blu tack or velcro and observe which holds him in place most securely.
First published on July 8, 2025, by Emma Vanstone, these experiments provide a fun and engaging way for children to learn about science while keeping the spirit of Humpty Dumpty alive.
- By investigating the Effect of Liquids on Eggshells, children can reinforce concepts of hypothesis formulation, data collection, and chemical reactions in an engaging science activity.
- The Egg Drop Challenge encourages kids to apply principles of experimental design, control of variables, and iterative improvement while having fun with hands-on learning.
- The Wall-Building activity offers older children an opportunity to explore different materials and their effects on stability, strengthening their understanding of engineering principles within the context of Humpty Dumpty.
- Experiments like Egg Strength Testing help kids to understand structural engineering and experimental controls by investigating the forces required to crack eggs in various ways.
- Using the beloved Humpty Dumpty character as a foundation, these science activities contribute to children's education-and-self-development by fostering a love for learning and scientific inquiry in a playful manner.
