Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Egg Drop Connections

After reading Ulucci's article and then doing an accompanying activity of an 'egg drop', the effects of poverty on youth become more apparent.  Ulucci proposes that youth growing up in poverty and living in impoverished neighborhoods are at a serious disadvantage compared to their more affluent peers. These youth face many challenges that are not faced by others from more privileged backgrounds. Schools in poorer districts just do not have the funding for supplies, updated classrooms, even enough teachers.






















The egg drop activity was symbolic of the advantages and disadvantages of different groups of people. From living in different communities, to different socioeconomic status, to different races and ethnicities, different groups of people have different opportunities. The class was split into different groups; some groups had more than enough supplies to successfully protect their eggs while other groups worked with the bare minimum. The group that had plentiful supplies didn't really have to worry about anything. They were really laid-back and easy going; they had no doubts that their egg would survive. They even enjoyed eating some of their extra marshmallows. But the group with the least amount of supplies had to work really hard just to make something that might possibly help, but they really didn't have much confidence in what they had put so much hard work into.



This activity really illustrates that gaps between social classes or different groups of people. Some people have plenty of resources and barely need to stress about anything and still know that it's going to work out. But other people have to work hard every step of the way and still have trouble succeeding with the resources or opportunities that they have (or rather the lack thereof). Basing my concluding off of this activity, I would have to say that access plays a very strong role in someone's success. Hard work is also an important aspect of achievements, but without certain opportunities it doesn't matter how hard you work, you could still get nowhere. I agree that working hard is extremely important, but for some people, they work as hard as they can and still not be presented with the opportunities that other people get. It is only when hard work meets opportunity that success can follow.