The Project
For this STEM project, we’re looking at the classic egg drop project with a new lens. Everything that can be taught and learned through the egg drop is the same. Here is a link to the details if you’re unfamiliar but there are many others if you’d like to use any version: https://www.scienceworld.ca/resource/egg-drop/
Now, in either the setting up or the debriefing (your choice) of this experiment, you can talk about this project as a picture of speaking the truth in love.
Speaking the truth
In this Egg Drop Project, there is a clear purpose. The goal is to move the egg from a specific height down to the ground. In a similar way, when we want to speak the truth to someone – especially difficult things to talk about, it should be for some purpose. Maybe it is to talk about some behavior that is hurting others, or a dangerous lifestyle. It could be many different things. But when we want to share a difficult truth with someone it is for the benefit of the other person.
Where’s the love?
Moving an egg from one place to another seems easy enough but when you want to make sure that the egg remains unbroken, then we have a challenge. In the same way, telling someone the truth is not hard if you don’t care about them. If you want to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) then you must share in a compassionate way. Both are important: truth and love. If you speak without love, you fail. If you move the egg from the given height to the ground and it breaks, you fail the task.
Intentional Preparation
In both the egg drop and speaking the truth in love, preparation and forethought can help in greater success. If you don’t take time to think and plan you might be successful but it’s not likely.
Discussion Questions:
- What type of preparation did you (or will you) do for the egg drop?
- Did you do any testing before the big drop?
- Did you get any advice (online or in person) from others who have done the egg drop before?
- How can you answer the same questions when you think about preparing for a difficult conversation instead of an egg drop?