How does one keep a raw chicken egg from breaking when dropped from above? Members of Boy Scout Troop 20 of Atglen found out during the troop's annual STEM Egg-Drop Challenge on Jan. 22.

As part of the troop's weekly meeting, the boys formed teams and designed devices that they hoped would keep an uncooked chicken egg intact when dropped from a height of approximately 8 feet.

According to Christine Zink, a member of the troop's parent committee, six teams, consisting of 15 Scouts, were given access to various craft supplies, as well as any supplies they brought with them, to create a safe descent for their team's egg. "Scouts had 50 minutes to brainstorm, design and construct their devices," she said. "They had to gather supplies, make their plans and give it a shot to see if it worked."

She said that the Scouts came up with many different plans for the challenge by first creating some type of container and then filling it with padding like bubble wrap or paper towels. "Some kids tried to do a parachute," Zink reported. "Some kids tried to keep the egg suspended away from the rest of the structure so (the egg) wouldn't hit the ground. They all came up with different ideas to make their contraptions."

The team of Oliver Chapel and Jonah Zink won the contest. They were the only ones who came up with a design that created a safe landing for their egg. They used a structure made of popsicle sticks and tongue depressors surrounded by bubble wrap.

"Jacob Donovan and Thomas Donovan received an honorable mention as their parachute design only required a minor tweak to achieve success," Zink noted. "The first egg they tried cracked, and then they made an adjustment and then it worked for the second round."

Boy Scout Troop 20 meets at Penningtonville Presbyterian Church, 406 Main St., Atglen, on Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The weekly meetings include team-building activities, survival skills and first aid skills.

Additionally, the troop hosts monthly events that include backpack camping, tent camping and service opportunities. The Scouts also take part in recreational activities, such as visiting an escape room. The troop also offers high adventure opportunities every summer such as hiking at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and canoeing in Algonquin Provincial Park in Canada. This year's adventure will be a sailing trip in the Bahamas.

Scouts participate in fundraising all year long. The next fundraiser will be a sale of chocolate-covered Easter eggs. Scouts will begin taking orders for the candy eggs on Monday, Feb. 19. Orders are due by Monday, March 18. Varieties include buttercream, coconut cream and peanut butter. Community members who would like to order eggs may contact the troop at fundraising@atglenscouts.org.

Boys interested in Scouting and who are between the ages of 11 and 18 are welcome to visit the troop during its regular Monday meeting time.