6th Grade Science: The “Egg-cellent” Mystery Lab

 

Over the past week, 6th-grade students conducted a four-day lab investigation exploring chemical reactions, cell membranes, and osmosis. This hands-on experiment reinforced their understanding of how substances move across membranes while incorporating key scientific skills such as measurement, data collection, and graphing.

The lab began with students placing an egg in vinegar and observing how the chemical reaction dissolved the eggshell, leaving only the membrane intact. This process provided a connection to our study of cells, as students examined how the egg’s membrane functions similarly to a cell membrane, allowing certain molecules to pass through while keeping others out.

 

Once the eggs were left with only their membranes, students placed them into a mystery solution and observed changes over the next two days. Each day, they recorded measurements of the egg’s mass and circumference to track how water moved in or out of the egg. This process introduced students to the concepts of hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions. They analyzed whether water moved into the egg (causing it to swell), out of the egg (causing it to shrink), or if there was no significant change.

 

In addition to learning about osmosis, this lab provided students with a practical application of measurement and data analysis. They used digital scales and measuring tape to collect precise data and recorded their findings in organized tables. Once the data was collected, students created graphs to visualize the changes in their eggs over time, reinforcing their ability to interpret scientific data and recognize trends.

 

This lab not only reinforced key scientific principles but also encouraged critical thinking and collaboration as students worked together to analyze their results. Ask your student about their egg’s transformation—what solution was their egg in, and how did it change? What did their data reveal about osmosis? This experiment provided a hands-on approach to learning that helped solidify their understanding.