The Thunder Bolt

Each year, the Concordia Hanoi campus witnesses a unique tradition as AP Psychology students carefully learn the responsibility of caring for another being. They are tasked with taking care of chicken eggs, representing a baby, throughout their academic day for one week. Often housed in handmade carriers or dressed in hand-sewn outfits, these 'babies' serve as the centerpiece for practicing the daily realities of a primary caregiver. Now in its fifth year, the "Eggsperiment" is a signature project of the AP Psychology curriculum, designed to translate abstract theories of human development into a tangible simulation.

While the project is a fun way to apply the content of the AP course, it serves a much deeper purpose. Their teacher, Mr. Andrew Creek, challenges students to move beyond textbooks and assume the weight of caregiving, a task designed to build both responsibility and gratitude. The core of the experiment is simple but demanding: students must care for a raw egg for seven full days, representing a "fast-tracked" journey from infancy to adolescence. 

To simulate the round-the-clock nature of caregiving, students are expected to keep their eggs with them at all times. When faced with commitments like sports games or social outings where they cannot bring their "child," they must coordinate with a network of "trusted egg-sitters," ranging from school friends to supportive grandparents. This responsibility is monitored closely. If an egg is found unattended, the teacher may issue a "Child Protective Services (CPS)” report. In one memorable case where two unmonitored eggs were discovered, the students involved had to perform a public "atonement" by reciting a poem in front of the class regarding the vital importance of being a responsible parent.

One of the most impactful outcomes of the project is the shift in perspective students experience regarding their own parents and guardians. As students struggle to manage just one week of responsibility for an egg, they are forced to reflect on the years of dedication provided by their own caregivers. Mr. Creek does acknowledge that caring for an egg for a week is nothing close to the actual experience of parenting. He explains that while this is an accelerated project, the ultimate goal is for students to gain a glimpse into the immense responsibility required to care for something that needs constant, 24/7 supervision.

"If it makes them appreciate a little bit more what their caregivers have done for them and how they’ve been able to develop through these same stages, then I think that’s a positive outcome." 

To ground the experiment in science, students apply the developmental theories of Erik Erikson and Jean Piaget to their "baby" as it progresses through a condensed human lifespan. Starting with the newborn stage, students navigate the conflict of Trust vs. Mistrust. As the week continues, they move through the toddler and preschool years, balancing the child's growing need for Autonomy and Initiative against early childhood egocentrism and the transition into preoperational thinking. By mid-week, the "egg" reaches grade school, where students explore Industry vs. Inferiority and the impact of social comparison on self-worth. The project concludes with adolescence, focusing on Identity vs. Role Confusion and the emergence of formal operational logic.

This academic work is further layered with an exploration of parenting styles, where students analyze how authoritarian ("my roof, my rules"), permissive (no boundaries), or authoritative (firm but warm) approaches would handle different developmental conflicts. By reflecting on these styles, students gain a deeper understanding of the nuances in their own upbringing and realize the gravity of the decisions they may one day make as informed parents or caregivers.

The experiment doesn't shy away from "heavy" topics like Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Students learn that unstable environments, mental illness in the home, or divorce can create an "ACE score" that correlates strongly with physical and mental health issues later on in life. By understanding the fragility of development, students realize that the role of a caregiver is one of the most important positions a person can hold.

You can see the results of this year’s "parenting" on Instagram by searching the hashtag #eggbabiesofconcordiahanoi. Mr. Creek encourages students to post daily updates of their egg babies to document the process, often asking them to incorporate psychological concepts into their posts. From custom carriers to documentation of developmental "milestones," it's a window into how our students are learning that life, like an egg, requires a steady hand and a lot of care.

By navigating seven days of constant care, from finding "trusted egg-sitters" to making tough parenting calls, students gain a small but vital window into the massive responsibility their own caregivers have carried for nearly two decades. As they reflect on how early developmental decisions translate through a person's life, students leave the classroom not just as better psychology students, but as more informed and empathetic individuals. It is a project that balances the "silly" with the "heavy," proving that while an egg may be fragile, the lessons in gratitude and responsibility it teaches are built to last.

Learn more about Concordia Hanoi's High School Program.