An Eggcellent Experiment!
What you will need : Eggs, clear cup or jar, distilled white vinegar and a bowl of water.
Firstly get an egg, allow your child to feel the egg and ask them to describe what the texture of the egg shell feels like. Encourage the use of words such as hard, firm, strong, flat and smooth.
Then get your cup/jar and gently put your egg in it, be careful not to drop it as you might crack the sell. Pour in the vinegar and ensure the vinegar covers the egg.
Leave the egg in the vinegar for 4-6 days, each day have a look at your egg and see if it looks different or if there are any changes. You could record any changes you see by the use of drawings or taking pictures using a camera.
After leaving your egg in the vinegar for 4-6 days, remove the egg from the vinegar and place it in a bowl of water. (Adults might want to help as it may need a little rub) Can you see any changes in your egg? Can you feel any changes in the texture of your egg?
Ask your child to describe how the texture of the egg feels now and compare it to how the egg felt before they put it in the vinegar. Encourage words such as bouncy, squishy and soft. (Some of the eggs might even bounce however do be careful as they might burst) If they do burst explore what the inside of the egg looks like.
Ask the children why they think the egg has changed and where has the shell gone?
The vinegar dissolves the shell of the egg which then exposes the membrane of the egg and that is why the egg changes. (Introduce your child to the word dissolve)
While taking part in this experiment please reinforce that the egg is not cooked therefore the children should not eat this egg.
