Cerebrospinal Fluid Egg Experiment

A raw egg in a container is used to model the brain inside the skull. Without fluid, shaking or dropping causes the egg to break, but with water (representing cerebrospinal fluid) the egg is cushioned and protected from damage.

1. Draw a face on a raw egg (“Mr. Egghead”). The egg represents the brain.
2. Place the egg inside a sealed plastic container to represent the skull.
3. Shake the container. Observe the egg break, showing brain injury without protection.
4. Repeat with a new egg, but this time fill the container with water before sealing.
5. Shake again. Observe how the egg remains intact, cushioned by the fluid (representing cerebrospinal fluid).
6. (Optional) Drop the container from a set height and compare conditions:
   1. With water inside.
   2. Without water.
   3. With other materials (sand, rocks, etc.).
   4. Using different shaped containers.
7. Record observations in a chart to compare outcomes.

Egg Heads: How Cerebrospinal Fluid Protects the Brain - Vanderbilt Brain Institute:

📄 Shake Your Brain - Dr Eric H. Chudler: https://childbraininjurytrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/005-Shake-Your-Brain.pdf

• Test different types of fluids (water, oil, syrup) to see which best protects the egg.
• Compare results between gentle shaking and dropping from height.
• Extend into helmet testing by wrapping the container in padding materials.

• Handle raw eggs carefully to avoid mess and contamination.
• Wash hands after handling broken eggs.
• Ensure containers are sealed tightly before shaking or dropping.
• Use drop tests in a safe, controlled area to prevent spills.

• How did water (cerebrospinal fluid) protect the egg from breaking? (It cushioned and absorbed impact forces.)
• Why does the brain need cerebrospinal fluid? (To protect it from sudden impacts and reduce injury risk.)
• What other natural protections does the brain have? (The skull and meninges.)
• What extra measures can humans take to protect their brains? (Wearing helmets, using seat belts, avoiding risky behaviors.)