Last night’s Shackleton ESU meeting was a brilliant showcase of creativity, teamwork and problem‑solving as members took on a challenging pioneering activity: designing and building a device capable of firing a bean bag.
Working in small groups, Explorers were given limited materials and a clear goal, then left to plan, build, test and refine their ideas. The results were impressive, with a wide variety of designs on display — from tension-powered launchers to cleverly engineered lever systems. Some devices performed more reliably than others, but every group demonstrated determination, learning from each attempt and making improvements along the way.
Throughout the evening, the hall was filled with excitement as each team tested their creation, measuring distance and celebrating successful launches. Failures were just as valuable as successes, sparking discussions about design choices, stability, power and control.
A special well done goes to Harry’s group, who achieved the standout result of the night by launching their bean bag over 25 metres — an exceptional effort and a true example of effective teamwork and engineering thinking.
Overall, it was a fun, energetic and educational session that perfectly embodied the spirit of Shackleton ESU: pushing boundaries, working together and learning through hands‑on adventure. We’re already looking forward to the next challenge!
