Lesson Plan Title : Eggs and Tooth Enamel

Age Range: Kindergarten through Grade 2 (Early Elementary)

Overview and Purpose: This experiment is about what decay can do to your tooth enamel. Students get a first-hand look at what happens when plaque builds up on their teeth.

Objective: The student will be able to describe why it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day.

Resources:

Several eggs

Vinegar

Containers that can be sealed

Soft boiled egg holder

Microscope

Activities:

Talk with your students about tooth decay. Explain how the decay can soften the enamel on your teeth. Place the soft boiled egg cup in one of the containers. Fill the container until it covers the egg holder. Place an egg in the egg holder so it is partly in the vinegar and cover the container.

After two days, take the egg out of the vinegar. Have the students examine both parts of the shell and describe the differences. Break the eggs and look at the shell under a microscope. Explain that the damage to the shell by the vinegar is similar to the damage done to our teeth by plaque and decay.

Wrap Up:

Have student write about the experiment and draw a picture showing the egg shell before and after being put in the vinegar.