Eggs-traordinary’ lesson for kindy kids

GEORGE TOWN: A group of pre-schoolers squealed excitedly when an egg seemed to magically “stand” on its end.

The Learning Garden Kindergarten kids were conducting an experiment to see if it was true that the strange phenomenon could only occur during the Chinese Bak Chang Festival.

The festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, usually coincides with the summer solstice. It is also the longest day of the year.

Six-year-old Lois Tolley said she was surprised to see the egg “stand” and would try it at home.

Kindergarten director Chow Chee Keong said the egg experiment was organised to expose children to local culture and astronomy.

“This egg experiment was held to celebrate the Bak Chang Festival but we also explained the reason behind the phenomenon,” said Chow, who is also the Penang Pre-school Association president.

Universiti Sains Malaysia Astronomy Club academic advisor Dr Chong Hon Yew said the fifth day of the fifth lunar month was “just like any other day”.

“Even during a total lunar and solar eclipse when the earth, moon and sun are perfectly aligned, the difference in gravity is insignificant.

“Yesterday, none of these were aligned but even if they were, Newton’s Law of Gravity states that it wouldn’t affect the raw egg’s balance,” he said, adding that a raw egg can stand on its end at any time of the year.

“Eggs with a rougher shell surface are easier to balance,” he said, adding that the Chinese myth has inspired many youngsters to get involved in astronomy.

“When they try the egg experiment during the Bak Chang Festival, they start asking questions about gravity and astronomy, which is a good thing,” he said.