It’s Time for an “Eggsperiment!”

Grab a couple of eggs and let’s get started!  You will need a permanent marker, at least two eggs, 1 cup of table salt, water, clear plastic cups, and spoons.  Mix ¼ cup of salt with one cup of water.  Then pour into one of the clear plastic cups.  In another plastic cup pour plain water.  Label each of the eggs with the number 1, 2, and 3 and so on, so you can tell the difference.  Place an egg in each cup and now watch; which egg floats and which egg does not.

Materials:

• 2 Eggs
• Sharpie Marker
• 1 Cup of Table Salt
• Water
• Clear Plastic Cups
• Spoons

Age-appropriate Adaptations:

• Two-year-olds—Use other items around the house in a container of water to see which items sink and which items float.  You could make a chart of items that float and items that sink in salt water versus plain water.
• Three-year-olds—Start with 5 eggs and 5 cups instead of just using two eggs.  Gradually increase the ratio of salt to water in cups 2-5 and watch to see which eggs float and which eggs do not.
• Four-/Five-year-olds—Start with 5 eggs and 5 cups instead of just using two eggs.  Gradually increase the ratio of salt to water in cups 2-5 and watch to see which eggs float and which eggs do not.  Have your child create a journal of what they see.  Together write down your predictions, float or sink.  What are the similarities and differences?

Skills Supported: Scientific experimentation. Critical thinking. Sensory exploration. Mathematics through counting. Literacy through emergent writing.