The purpose of an experiment with concrete for a class is to teach students about its properties and how it works. You can inform students about all the uses of concrete such as making sidewalks and buildings. This information will help students understand structures around them and how concrete played a part in it.
Doing an experiment with concrete may take several days to complete. This is because concrete doesn't harden right away, and for the students to get the full effect of the experiment they should see the concrete in it's natural state as a powder as well as the state of when it is set. To speed up the process, you can choose a quick drying concrete.
There are many different types of experiments with concrete to choose from. One involves mixing concrete with salt water and observing the salt water's affect on concrete over a designated period of time. Another experiment consists of using different types of concrete, such as those made strictly from sand and those made from sand and rocks, and seeing if the concrete has different appearances and textures based on the materials used.
Before embarking on any experiment, precautions need to be taken. Students should wear protective eye gear, masks over their faces, aprons over their clothes and gloves on their hands. This will protect the students from breathing in fumes, accidentally getting concrete in their eyes or on their clothes or skin. Without these protections you are risking the students' health and safety. Also be sure all concrete experiments are done in a well ventilated area since concrete has a slight odor and emits a dust when it is mixed.