Strength of an Egg: Weekly Science Project Idea and Home Science Activity Spotlight

In this week's spotlight: a materials sciences family experiment and science fair project that asks you to rethink what you know about eggs. Are they fragile? Or are they strong? If you've ever accidentally stuck your finger through one in the kitchen, you may think you know the answer! But the shape of an egg can support a surprising amount of mass. It is a shape, in fact, that can be found in architecture. How much mass can eggshells hold? Put it to the test with a hands-on science experiment that lets you see how much mass you can stack on top of a set of eggs before they crack.

• Fallen Arches: The Surprising Strength of Eggshells (full Science Buddies Project Idea)
• Structural Science: How Strong are Eggshells? (science activity at Scientific American)