Egg-citing science from elementary fair
Ihave been to some pretty amazing Science Fairs this past week. What amazing students we have here in southeastern Alberta! Many of the projects I have judged have been elementary, so I cannot wait to see what students do for their junior and senior high projects — it would absolutely blow you away how amazing they are! I do not like to pick favorites, but this was an interesting project this week. Let’s get started!
*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.
Materials
• Eggs
• Vinegar
• Jar (one for each egg that you want to use)
• Paper towels
• Table to work on
• Goggles
• Science notebook
• Pencil
Procedure
1. Put safety goggles on.
2. Take one egg and carefully look it over, observing for any cracks — you do not want any in the shell as the experiment will not work then.
3. Place the egg into a jar. Have an adult help you pour the vinegar into the jar. You just want enough to cover the egg.
4. Place the egg on the table (or counter).
5. Make observations every day at the very least.
6. Write your observations down in your science notebook.
7. Sit on a counter and watch what is happening
8. After three days make your observations.
9. Carefully remove the egg from the vinegar. Wash it off and gently dry with a paper towel.
10. If the shell isn’t completely removed return the egg to the vinegar and wait one more day.
11. Each day, repeat step #9 until the shell is completely removed from the egg.
12. Once the shell is all washed off you have your very own home made bouncing egg!
13. You can now carefully drop the egg from a short height.
14. Make observations.
15. What happens?
16. Make sure you thoroughly wash your hands and the area you were working in after making your observations (or the egg breaks!).
What is going on?
Did you know that vinegar contains acetic acid? In this experiment, the acetic acid in the vinegar reacts with the shell of the egg which is made of calcium carbonate. You should have been able to observe this when you first pour the vinegar over the egg. There are a LOT of bubbles that form as the chemical reaction is taking place! This reaction erodes the shell leaving us with just the thick membrane surrounding the egg left to protect it. This membrane allows us to bounce the egg without breaking it.
Do not forget to register for the Regional Science Fair on April 1 — it is open to ALL students in southeastern Alberta. As well, we are still in need of some science fair judges so if you would like to lend a helping hand, send me a message!
Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @ PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403.527.5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca.