Using an egg in a container of normal tap water, and another in a container of vinegar, Beckler-Jones explained that small amounts of acid could destroy the shells of crustaceans within the ocean. The experiment shows the relationship between how carbon dioxide in the air is absorbed into the ocean’s surface water and changes its alkalinity to become more acidic.
“Most of my students knew that pollution was an issue in the air, but didn’t realize it was also an issue in the water,” Beckler-Jones said.
From left: Eggs in normal tap water, and eggs in vinegar.
In the experiment, the acid in the vinegar reacts with the calcium carbonate of the eggshell over the course of a couple days, eroding the shell and leaving the egg rubbery, pliable and squishy. Students poked at the egg with their fingers, but were cautioned to be careful, as it could still break open and create a mess.
“They were either grossed out or super shocked or a bit of both,” she said. “There was a lot of squealing in the classroom, but they were also all very excited for that part of the lesson.”
Students were asked to come up with ways to combat pollution for the future. Here are some of their solutions:
- Add more rules to the Clean Air Act.
- Filter air coming out of factories.
- Use electric cars.
- Grow more plants to use the carbon dioxide.
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About Rolesville Charter Academy
Rolesville Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Rolesville, North Carolina, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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