Strong Bones, Weak Bones

Most people will break a bone in their body at some point in their life, but how much force does it take to break one? In this activity, learners will experiment with weight and discover how much force is needed to break a chicken bone. Step-by-step instructions are included with photos along with safety recommendations. Activity guide includes a “What’s going on?” explanation and connections to relevant science concepts such the physical nature of bones, the function of calcium and collagen in bones, and exercise and bones.

Materials List:

• 1 or more cooked chicken bones-5cm or longer


• 2 tables or desks of the same height


• heavy string or thin rope, approximately 1m long


• duct tape


• bucket-approximately 12L (3 gallons) capacity or more


• bathroom scale


• heavy objects, such as rocks, bricks, or sand (instead of water)


• stack of books


• access to water (optional)