Science Smarts: Break out some egg-citing science as Easter approaches

By Patty Rooks on March 23, 2024.

I do not know where the past month has gone – it seems time just flies by! As you may know, the Easter break is fast approaching -of course you know what that means right?! A ton of fun and EGG-CITING experiments. Grab some extra as this could get messy. Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

– Two science helpers

– Plastic tarp

– Scissors

– A few dozen eggs still in the carton

Procedure

1. Find an area to work on and lay the tarp out as this is going to get messy!

2. Using the scissors, cut the empty side of the egg carton off so it is out of the way.

3. Take a minute to ensure you do not have any broken or cracked eggs.

4. Ensure all of the eggs are sitting the same in the carton. Make sure all of the “pointy” ends are facing up OR ensure all of the more “round ends” are facing up. It is important they are all in the same direction.

5. Place the open egg cartons side by side in the middle of the plastic tarp.

6. Remove your shoes and socks.

7. Have one science helper stand beside one dozen eggs and have the other helper stand by the other dozen eggs. You want them to be able to help you up onto the eggs.

8. Making your foot as flat as possible, and holding onto the science helpers on each side of you; carefully step up onto the eggs with one foot. Do not be scared.

9. When your foot is properly positioned, slowly shift all of your weight onto the egg-leg as you position your other foot on top of the second carton of eggs. Step down.

10. What happened?

What is going on?

Please do not give up. It is possible! You should be able to stand on the eggs without breaking a single one! I think that eggs are the most amazing thing ever. Their unique shape is the secret to this experiment. Despite seeming so fragile (I know I break a few eggs every time I come home from the grocery store) they have tremendous strength. An egg is the strongest at the top and the bottom due to their “arch shape”. If you apply pressure equally to both ends of the egg, it will not break because this shape helps distribute the pressure evenly all over the shell rather than in just one place. This is also why chickens can sit on their eggs and hatch them without breaking them.

If you have time, please stop by Medicine Hat College today (March 23) to support all of our young scientists at the Regional Science Fair. Public viewing will begin at 11 a.m. I hope to see you there!

Patty Rooks, senior scientific consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community.” Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: 12 826 11th Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403-527-5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca.

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