Lost Shell

It is not often that we do science projects, but this was such an awesome one! I thought we were going to use only one egg--but my partner wanted to extend the experiment and have the kids enjoy the process. In fact, I say again, it was the best science project ever.  Again, Pinterest, thank you. You are still my friend.  I saw the idea on http://mycrazyblessedlife.com/2012/09/27/naked-eggs/.

My partner wanted the kids to have a true scientific experience, so he expanded this process instead of just a single egg. He began by asking the kids how different substances react on objects.  Six eggs were provided and six kids were chosen to select a six liquid solutions the eggs could be placed in. So they chose oil, water, milk, vinegar, dish soap, and bleach.

The kids were asked what would happen if the eggs were left in the solutions.  Being kindergartners and first graders, some said the egg would break, the eggs would sink, they would become softer. One stated that the solutions would produce bubbles.  After these predictions, the eggs were dunked into their solutions for 48 hours.

The next day, the children crowded round the table to observe if anything was going on with the eggs. There was no appreciable difference in any of the eggs, except the vinegar solution had myriads (not their word) of bubbles covering the egg.

On the second day, the children were brought to a table to see more changes, if any among the eggs. Sometimes kids are so funny with the statements they make.  Here are a few:
1. This is bigger!
2. This looks like lemonade!
3. I think this is softer. The shell is gone. It is what happens when you put a rock in water; it turns a little softer.
4. It looks like a water balloon

One child tried to measure the shell-less egg with his fingers.  It was a good opportunity to bring out the ruler and have another opportunity to share that measuring things in our environment is a very good practice.

It was obvious that the egg soaked in vinegar was larger than the other eggs. I so wish you could have seen the faces of the children.  I learned from another co-worker that the video we had taken could be edited out and that the audio could be extracted.  You now have the option seeing some of the edited film.

If I have time, I'll try to re-edit the video with sound.  I think you will have a blast hearing one child say "vi-gi-ner" instead of "vinegar". Until then, I hope you all have good imaginations! :)

Supplies:

1. eggs
2. vinegar
3. solutions: milk, water, oil
4. short plastic cups

Directions:
1. place eggs in various solutions of your choosing
2. wait 2-3 days for vinegar to dissolve eggshell

Duration:
This was a three day process for us