Egg Geodes

Thanks for joining us for day 2 of our science related projects. Recently in a homeschooling group a mother posted some pictures from a science experiment her children did using different ingredients to make egg geodes. Yang is science crazy so we took a stab (Get it? Crystals have sharp ends!) at it. We used Epsom Salts for one set and Borax for another. I asked Yang & Poppy before starting which one they thought would make more crystals. Yang said the Borax because we use it in our laundry soap so it has to make big bubbles. Poppy said the Epsom Salts since they are already sort of like crystals.

We began by lightly cracking open 4 eggs near the smaller end of the egg. We poured the eggs into a bowl to use later. We then cleaned the insides of the eggs out with warm water, making sure to get the all of the slimy membrane out to prevent molding. NOTE: you want to keep as much of the egg intact as possible for better growth of the crystals.

EPSOM SALT

Next we used a 1/4 cup measuring cup and filled it about 3/4 of the way full of hot water, not boiling. Then we began adding tablespoons of the Epsom Salts, stirring as we made each addition, until the salts no longer dissolved.

Place the eggs in an egg carton so they do not tip over and spill everything. Carefully spoon the mixture into the eggs making sure to distribute between the eggs evenly.

Add a few drops of food coloring to each egg. I would suggest leaving on egg without food coloring to show a more natural crystal.

Place the eggs in the refrigerator for 3 hours.

If there is any liquid still in the eggs after 3 hours CAREFULLY pour it out, making sure you don't pour out any of the crystals. If you do not have crystals then your water was not warm enough, try again.


DISCLAIMER: We did not develop this experiment. We used instructions from The Happy Scientist.

BORAX

Place 2 cups warm water in a pot and add food coloring.

Add Borax until the water is super saturated.

Once the water starts to boil remove from heat and add the solution to the egss.

As the water evaporates from the eggs, borax crystals will deposit on the sides of the egg crating a geode egg.