Take time to read our capstone research journey!
Have you ever heard that eggshells can be used as an alternative to chalk? It may sound impossible, but as you try, you can make the impossible possible. That's what STEM students are for, students who always find ways and who search tirelessly for products just to conduct their own research.
For those who don't know why eggshells can be used as an alternative to chalk, here's the explanation that the eggshells are primarily composed of calcium carbonate, which is the same compound found in chalk. When crushed into a fine powder, eggshells can be used as an alternative to chalk due to their calcium carbonate content. Additionally, using eggshells as chalk helps reduce waste by repurposing a material that would otherwise be discarded. And also, using eggshells as chalk aligns with sustainable practices, contributing to environmental conservation. This innovative approach not only reduces waste but also demonstrates the importance of finding eco-friendly solutions in everyday applications.
SO COME ON, LET'S KNOW HOW WE MADE OUR CHALK BY CONTINUING READING THIS!
So the first thing we did with my friend named marlyn was cleaning the eggshells with water with the use of water scoop and a large container where my mama do the washing clothes in in bisaya we called it "planggana" and strainer is needed so that the water and the eggshells will separate and then soak them in the sun to dry. Just so you know, the eggshells smelled bad, but we needed to swallow our pride and not be overly dramatic because it was for our grade!HAHAHAHAHAHA
After cleaning the eggshells,we observed how the sun's heat helped dry them,which was crucial for the next steps of our project. Despite the unpleasant smell,we remained focused on our goal,knowing that this small sacrifice would contribute to the success of our research. Swallowing our pride and overcoming any discomfort became a part of our journey towards completing our grade.
The next step we took was crushing the eggshells into a fine powder. We used a tool borrowed from my grandfather,which I'm not sure what it's called,and a hand chopper to make the chalk powder even finer.
After crushing the eggshells into a fine powder,we strain it and we carefully measured the amount needed for our chalk mixture but it is not needed to measure it but we just wanted to ensure that the texture and consistency of our chalk would be just right because it is our first time to make a chalk using eggshells. The process of crushing the eggshells was a bit challenging,but it was also satisfying to see them transform into a fine powder.
The most exciting part that my partner and I enjoyed was mixing the eggshells with a small amount of water and a binder agent like cornstarch or flour. We used cornstarch because it was the only one available in my house. We enjoyed mixing because we knew that our product,the chalk was almost finished.
While mixing the cornstarch and eggshells,there was a noticeable change as if it was turning into chalk. That's why after 10 minutes of mixing,we took our chalk mold and placed the mixture into it.
Afterward,we let it soak in the heat for a few hours for it to dry and we tied it with ice water plasand take a little nap but not that little because it took 2 hours before we woke up from sleeping.
Before we continued with our capstone project,we took a break to eat snacks. Sadly,we did not take any pictures because our phones were low on battery. After our snack break, we resumed our project by checking the dried chalk and inspecting the quality of our product. We were excited to see how our homemade chalk turned out and to share it with our classmates and teachers.
So there it is,after 2 hours of waiting,it is already dry and we removed it to the molder
And here is the final product...
Thankyou for reading my blog!So next time you come across an unusual idea,remember that with determination and creativity,even the most challenging tasks can be accomplished. Just explore and you can learn new things!!