"EGGcellent" Activities

It's Springtime, and Easter is just around the corner! It's a great time for these high-interest, hands-on "EGGcellent" Science and Math Activities. These fun learning activities can easily be done at home, also, with materials you probably have on hand. Worksheets are included for teacher use.

Teacher Tips:

• I set up Egg Centers in tubs in my classroom and let the kids rotate in groups to all 4 activities. The 5th activity is a whole-class activity.
• These activities are best done on the floor so that the eggs do not "fly" off a table.
• Have the kids make all predictions in ink so they cannot change them!
• Have salt and wipes available in case an egg breaks!
• Have enough eggs so that each group has a set for each activity. Have extra on hand in case any break!
• For Activities 1, 4, and 5, label the eggs "A" and "B", etc.
• Encourage the kids to use all their senses as they explore and experiment!
• Have an "Egg"cellent time!!

“EGG”cellent Science Experiments  and Investigation

Activity #1:   Spin Your Eggs!

Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to determine if an egg is raw or boiled.

Prediction:  The ___________ egg will spin better. (raw or boiled)

Procedure: 

1. Spin each egg.

2. Lightly touch the egg to stop spinning (if needed).

Observations: ________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Results:_________________________________________________________________________________________

Conclusions:______________________________________________________________________________________

Please note:  The hard-boiled egg will spin faster and longer than a raw egg. This happens because the loose liquid in the raw egg acts as a brake and makes the egg "wobble" as it spins.

Activity #2 : Egg Weight

Purpose:  The purpose of this experiment is to determine the weight of an egg.

Prediction:  I predict my egg weighs ________ bear counters.

Procedure:

1. Carefully place your egg in one side of the balance scale.

2. Take turns placing bears (one at a time) in the other side of the balance.

3. Record a tally mark for each bear in the space below.

Observations: ________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Results:_________________________________________________________________________________________

Conclusions:______________________________________________________________________________________

Please note: Sets of 100 Bear Counters are available on E-Bay.

Activity #3:  Float an Egg!

Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to determine if an egg can float.

Prediction: I predict the egg

(will         will not) float in water.

Procedure: 

1.Use a spoon to carefully place an egg in a container of fresh water.

2.Record observations.  ______________________________________________

______________________________________________

3. Use a teaspoon to add salt to the fresh water. Stir after each addition and place egg back in water.  Record tally marks for each spoon of salt.  

Observations: ________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Results:_________________________________________________________________________________________

Conclusions:______________________________________________________________________________________

Follow-up: Discuss the Great Salt Lake. Why is it easier for people to float in that lake rather than in a fresh water lake?

Activity #4: Which Egg is Rotten? 

Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to determine which egg is rotten and which is fresh.

Prediction:  I predict that Egg ____ (A or B) is rotten.

Procedure: 

1.Weigh Egg A using a kitchen scale.  Record weight in grams. 
2.Weigh Egg B using a kitchen scale.  Record weight in grams.

Egg A
Egg B

Observations: ________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Results:_________________________________________________________________________________________

Conclusions:______________________________________________________________________________________

At the end of the activity, break the eggs open for the students to see and smell the contents of both eggs. 


Activity #5: Rubber Egg (Whole Class Activity)

Pour clear vinegar in two cups. Put a raw egg in one cup and a boiled egg in the other cup of vinegar, making sure the eggs are completely covered with vinegar. Students will observe the eggs at intervals each day and write observations in a Science Journal. After about 2-3 days, the shell will be dissolved, but the membrane will be intact making it feel like rubber. Students will be able to see the contents of the raw egg through the membrane. Try dropping the boiled egg on a table from a height of 1-2 feet. What happens? It should bounce. Why does this happen? Have students do research to determine why.

A similar activity can be done at another time with a chicken bone in vinegar. The vinegar dissolves the calcium of the bone. It will bend after about 2-3 days.

Now, which came first, the chicken or the egg?