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Squashed tomato challenge

A STEM Challenge where pupils design and build a model to move tomatoes down a mountain

Challenge your students to take on a real life  problem affecting people in Nepal.

The problem: In Nepal many farmers living on the mountainside grow fruit and vegetables, including tomatoes. To earn a living they need to sell these at the local market.  The problem is getting to market involves a long, dangerous walk down the mountain side and over a river, at the end of which the tomatoes may well be a bit squashed.

The challenge: To design, build and test a way of moving tomatoes that won’t squash them!

Suitable for pupils aged 7-16.

This challenge is perfect to reinforce a lesson on forces or as a STEM club, transition or British Science Week activity.  It is accredited for the CREST award scheme and can be used as a project for the Big Bang Competition.

Videos showing how Beat the flood helps families during the floods

Gravity goods ropeway

A video showing how the ropeways work to transport good to markets at the base of the mountainside in Nepal.

Aerial ropeways in Nepal

Practical Action are installing aerial ropeways in Nepal to enable farmers to transport their good to market effectively.

Squashed Tomato challenge in action

Students from Chichester High School spent the day at INTECH science centre carrying out Practical Action Squashed tomato challenge.

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