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The Science of Soda

Students will come up with a recipe, or ratio, for making their own coca cola.

Catherine Robinson

A 6th-8th STEM Lesson

The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

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Notes for teachers

List of Materials

I do think students will enjoy this project, however it will cost some money. If you can not find lime or lemon extract I do believe lime juice or lemon juice will work and may be cheaper.

Materials:

Vanilla Extract

Lime Extract (Lime juice if needed)

Lemon Extract (Lemon juice if needed)

Cinnamon Extract

Seltzer water

Coca cola (Optional if you want to compare)

Jelly beans or other candy for optional opening activity

Student Lab Worksheet https://docs.google.com/document/d/1908ieWlYSYw2CNZ439zIRne84sOf0jtxIj1jQeFhswA/edit?usp=sharing

Assessment

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NoFtdRKDq6j60q1xERVXfHA-rfShYDNnZZQk4cuZclQ/edit?usp=sharing

I have students in groups of 4.
I will likely let them add 4 cups of seltzer water and after they mix it up they can each have 1 cup to taste. This will obviously be more expensive it can be more of a sample.
I do think it’s important for students to know how much seltzer (Plain) before they start their planning.

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Standards

Science and Engineering Practices

ask questions and define problems
develop and use models
plan and carry out investigations
analyze and interpret data
use mathematical and computational thinking
construct explanations and design solutions
engage in argument from evidence
obtain, evaluate and communicate information

RP.A.1.6 Understand the concept of a ratio as comparing two quantities multiplicatively or joining/composing the two quantities in a way that preserves a multiplicative relationship. Use ratio language to describe a ratio relationship between two quantities.

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Objectives:

To identify the flavors that are in coca cola.

To hypothesis the amounts or ratios of each flavor to make their “soda.”

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Agenda (1 50 minute class period)

Bell work- 5 minutes

Opening activity- 5 minutes

ratio development- 5 minutes

hand washing and sanitizing kitchen- 5 minutes

Lab/experiment time-10 minutes

taste and answer questions 10 minutes

Clean- 10 minutes

Bell work-

What are the 5 senses?
Do you believe you use all 5 senses when you eat? If not which do you believe you use?
What flavors do you believe make up coca cola?

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

What are the 5 senses?
Do you believe you use all 5 senses when you eat? If not which do you believe you use?
What flavors do you believe make up coca cola?

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Opening Activity

Ask students if they believe that all of their senses are used when eating. Have a quick think pair share or class discussion.

Pass out jelly beans, 1 per person, and ask students to hold their nose as they eat. After a few second, ask them to unplug their nose and see if they notice a difference.

Have students think pair share, have a group discussion, or write down their reactions.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Have a print out or write the following on a board, canvas etc for students to answer, after you discuss what flavors they believe are in coca cola:

Coca Cola is made up with cinnamon, vanilla, lemon and lime flavors. What are the ratios that you think will be needed with each flavor to add to seltzer water to make your coca cola.

Once you have created your ratios, let's test it out!

*option to have a small sample of coca cola (possibly caffeine free)

Once you have your ratios, (example 1 drop cinnamon, 2 drops lemon, 1 drop lime, 3 drops vanilla) add seltzer water, mix taste with separate cups or spoons and write down your observations, do you think it was accurate, do you think it needed more or less of anything?

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1908ieWlYSYw2CNZ439zIRne84sOf0jtxIj1jQeFhswA/edit?usp=sharing

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Assessment

Have students complete this assessment to show their understanding of ratios and the activity. It does have a point system; if the points don’t work with your grading system, make a copy and change it.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NoFtdRKDq6j60q1xERVXfHA-rfShYDNnZZQk4cuZclQ/edit?usp=sharing

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Differentiation

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Students may need help with writing ratios; monitor students during the process.
Question students during the activity and have a group discussion before the final assessment to ensure understanding of ratios.

If you have the time and the funds, students can make it a second time with new ratios and see if they did better the second time.

You could also do a ratio activity with Kool Aid mix or another drink mix.