Experiment and Learn the Mystery of Missing Calcium
This simple experiment helps children learn why calcium is such an important nutrient for helping keep bones strong and healthy for a lifetime. Smaller bones work better than larger bones for this experiment.

What You Need:
• 2 cooked chicken bones with the meat removed
• 2 small glass jars with lids
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup vinegar*

(*You can also do this experiment with cola that contains phosphoric acid. Just refrigerate the jars and change the cola every 2 to 3 days.)

What You Do:
Put one bone in each jar.
Fill one jar with water and the other jar with vinegar. Put on the lids.
Set aside for at least two weeks.

What You'll See:
In the jar filled with vinegar, you'll see calcium crystals. Why? The calcium is pulled from the chicken bone, causing it to weaken and bend. After you take the bones out of the water and vinegar, leave them out to dry for a few weeks. Break each dry bone to compare which is stronger. The bone with less calcium will be brittle and break more easily.