This Activity is meant for Boy Scouts, Webelos scouts.
Hand out the equipment to each patrol leader.
Have him set the paper towel on the floor or table.
Arrange a penny for each scout around the edge of the paper towel and the dixie cup of water in the center.
Have each scout in the patrol estimate how many drops of water he can place on the top of his penny before the water overflows onto the paper towel. He should announce his number to the patrol.
There will be two winners in each patrol:
- the one that guessed closest
- the one that places the most drops
Pass the eyedropper around the patrol with each scout placing 5 drops on his penny each turn until it overflows. When it overflows, he's out.
Chances are good that everyone will woefully underestimate the amount of water their penny will hold. Some might 'cheat' and force an overflow right at their guessed number by touching the water with the eyedropper. Well, he'll be the closest winner but will not get to participate in the majority of the activity.
Reflection: Who did better than they expected? Did you set your goals too low? Do you think we hinder ourselves from doing great things because we set artificial limits to our abilities?