This rubbery reptile egg science experiment is a fun and educational STEM activity that teaches kids the differences between a reptile egg and a bird egg.
Living in the deserts of Arizona, my kids are no strangers to reptiles. In fact, we frequently visit a reptile sanctuary, and they even attend camps there to help clean out reptile enclosures and take care of the animals. We also own a bearded dragon and feed it roaches and worms for food.
When we got to the reptiles section of our biology curriculum, my kids were all over it! They were spewing out reptile facts and adding to the content presented in the textbook.
However, one thing they have not experienced was holding and touching a reptile egg.
This simple biology science experiment for kids uses ordinary kitchen ingredients to turn an egg into a rubbery reptile egg! Your kids will be amazed by the effect of vinegar on eggshells and how the transformed egg imitates a soft, snake egg.
Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into this exciting science project. We’ll explore the materials, the process, and the fascinating results that await as we create our unique reptile eggs together!
How to Make a Rubbery Reptile Egg
Before we dive into the fun, let’s make sure we have everything in place for the rubbery reptile egg experiment. We’ll review the needed materials, some important safety tips, and the steps for creating our rubber egg.
Materials:
- 1 cup of vinegar
- 1 raw egg (You can also use a hardboiled egg if you worry about making a mess, but I recommend using a raw egg so you can see through the egg once the eggshell has been dissolved.)
- A clear glass or plastic container (Make sure it’s large enough to hold the egg and vinegar.)
- Spoon (optional)
- Flashlight (optional)
Safety Tips
Safety first! Even though this experiment is kid-friendly, there are still some precautions we should follow:
- Adult supervision: Always have an adult nearby to help, especially when handling the vinegar.
- Avoid contact with eyes: Vinegar can be irritating, so you should be careful not to touch your eyes during the experiment.
- Wash hands: After handling the raw egg and vinegar, you should wash our hands thoroughly.
Instructions:
Now for the exciting part—creating our rubber egg!
1. Gently place the raw egg in the container. You can use a spoon to help you set the egg at the bottom of the container without cracking open the shell. If you accidentally crack the eggshell, start over with a new egg and clean container.
2. Pour the vinegar into the container and ensure the egg is completely submerged. The vinegar will start breaking down the eggshell.
3. Leave the egg in vinegar for about 24 to 48 hours. Do not disturb the container while waiting, as the eggshell can still break.
4. Carefully remove the egg and rinse it under cool water. Use your fingers to rub off the eggshell residue gently.
Let your kids handle the rubbery snake egg and feel the texture. Is it soft or hard? What happened to the egg’s color? Did the egg get bigger, smaller, or stay the same? I recommend having a chicken egg for comparison.
You can shine a flashlight through the “reptile egg” and see if you can see the inside of the egg. You should be able to see a shadow created by the yolk. Now shine the flashlight on the chicken egg – can you see through it?
This rubbery egg demonstrates how reptile eggs differ from bird eggs. Reptile eggs usually have a softer, leathery shell that is more permeable to gases and moisture. Some reptile eggs, especially snake eggs, are slightly translucent, allowing you to see some of the internal structures inside the eggs.
In contrast, bird eggs feature a hard shell that provides strong protection and are incubated by the parent birds, who maintain a consistent temperature and humidity. This hard shell is crucial for the embryo’s development.
*** If you accidentally drop the egg on the counter, you might notice it’s nice and bouncy! After you examine the egg in detail, let your kids handle and play with the egg. Just be careful because the membrane will pop at one point and make a mess!
Science Behind the Reptile Egg Experiment
Eggshells are made up of a substance called calcium carbonate. This is the same stuff that makes up seashells and chalk. Vinegar, on the other hand, contains acetic acid. When these two meet, they start a bubbly dance called a chemical reaction!
Here’s what happens: The acetic acid in the vinegar breaks apart the calcium carbonate in the eggshell. As it does this, it releases tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide gas – that’s what causes all the fizzing you see! The calcium from the eggshell combines with parts of the vinegar to form a new substance called calcium acetate, which dissolves in the liquid.
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