The strength of an egg
Eggs are stronger than we think. To test the strength of an eggshell, we can place a raw egg in the palm of the hand. First, we use even pressure with the entire palm of the other hand and squeeze. The egg, logically breaks. Next, we will put the thumb and index finger at the ends of the egg. We squeeze. Can we break the egg this way? No right? This curiosity will delight the little ones.
Let’s continue with more eggs
For this experiment we will need four raw eggs of a similar size. With great care, we will break the eggs and empty their contents into a container. We rinse the inside of the egg shells and leave them on a kitchen paper napkin to dry. Next we will use small scissors to trim the broken edges of the eggshells so that all the parts are the same size. This process must be done delicately so as not to cause cracks in the housings of our experiment.
Next we will use all the shells already cut, placing them on a flat surface. We will place them in two rows of two shells each. Then, we will put a large book, of considerable size, on top of them, resting evenly on the top of the eggshells. Let’s repeat the process. How many books can accumulate on top before the shells break?
Chromatography flowers
Chromatography is the process of separating a solution into different parts, such as the pigments in the ink used in markers or felt-tip pens. If you draw lines around a coffee filter, then bend it and dip the tip in water, the water will travel through the filter and separate the marker ink into its different pigments (in very fun patterns that you can display as a craft project for the smallest).
Self-inflating balloon
An unexpected twist thanks to a vinegar and baking soda experiment. It’s very simple: if you put baking soda in an empty bottle and vinegar in a balloon, when you put the balloon over the mouth of the bottle and let the vinegar pour out, the resulting gas will be enough to inflate the balloon on its own. And they will love it!
Homemade lava lamp
Oil and water with food coloring don’t mix, it’s something kids can learn: about density. To create a fun experiment, use an antacid pill and the bubbles will start to flow everywhere like a wonderful lava lamp.
These experiments can be used to raise or pose interesting questions such as:
Is the strength of the egg surprising? Does the shape of the egg influence its resistance? Would a single eggshell hold as much book weight as the four egg shells we tested in the experiment? How can a hen sit on a nest full of eggs without breaking them?
Eggs give a lot of play in experiments with children as you can see, although we can try with many other materials, such as vinegar or school supplies.
