For example, they keep students busy building mousetrap cars, then competing to see which car can go farthest and fastest. By then, they've discovered the subjects aren't such boring mysteries after all. You have to design a container that will keep an egg from breaking when dropped from different heights. Teams within each club compete. Winners face off with other local clubs, then go on to a regional competition.
Losers mop up a lot of egg yolk.
My team designed a small container to hold the egg, then added a flat piece of foam extending across the top of the holder to catch the wind. We hoped it would glide down like a parachute. They are so happy, and so engaged, when they are getting ready for one. They get to see the engineering labs and try out the equipment. Professors and students show them everything.