In this paper, we report an experiment intended as a tool to introduce chemistry and materials science students to several chemical concepts through the determination of the best experimental conditions for the formation of calcium oxide (lime) from a source of high content of calcium carbonate (eggshells). Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and qualitative tests were used to optimize the experimental conditions of calcination temperature and time for the formation of calcium oxide.