Recently, C1 did a science project from beginning to end.  I started by showing them the Diet Coke – Mentos fountain.  I asked them to think about what might impact the size of the fountain.  This led to a discussion about the scientific method.  The kids (in teams of 4) designed an experiment to see what affect changing one piece of the fountain had.

After designing and running their experiments, we wrote up the results in the form of a poster.

Here are the kids with their posters.

Lizzy, Hera, Charlie and Sally

The Diet Coke Mentos Fountain and Type of Soda

Purpose:
We wanted to know if type of soda used will affect the size of the fountain.

Hypothesis:
We thought Cider and Diet Coke would make the same size fountain.

Materials:
One bottle of Cider, one bottle of Diet Coke, two packages of mint Mentos, and a measuring cup.

Procedure:
First,we prepared the cider. Next,we dropped the Mentos into the bottle of Cider. Then we measured the volume of the fountain.  Next, we prepared the Diet Coke.  Then we dropped the Mentos into the Diet Coke.  Finally,we measured the volume of the fountain.

Results:
When we put mint Mentos into the bottle of Diet Coke, 180ml of soda came out.  When we put mint Mentos into the bottle of Cider, 200ml of soda came out.

Conclusions:
We thought Diet Coke and Cider fountains would be the same size, but they were not.  The cider fountain was bigger.  Our hypothesis was not supported.

Eric, Sean, Mary and Joanne

The Diet Coke – Mentos Fountain and Number of Mentos

Purpose:
We wanted to know if the number of Mentos used affects the size of the Diet Coke – Mentos fountain.

Hypothesis:
More Mentos will make a bigger fountain.

Materials:
Two packages of mint Mentos, two bottles of Diet Coke, a measuring cup.

Procedure:
Put one package of mint Mentos into the bottle of Diet Coke.  Measure how much soda comes out of the bottle using a measuring cup.  Put on mint Mentos in the other bottle of Diet Coke.  Measure how much soda comes out of the bottle using a measuring cup.

Results:
When we put the whole package of Mentos in the bottle, 300mL of soda came out.  When we put only one Mentos in the bottle, 125mL of soda came out.

Conclusions:
Our hypothesis was supported.  The fountain was bigger when we used a whole package of Mentos.  The fountain was smaller when we used only one Mentos.

Flora, Kitty, Martin and Eddie

The Diet Coke – Mentos Fountain and Type of Mentos

Purpose :
We want to know if fruit Mentos or mint Mentos make a bigger fountain.

Hypothesis:
We think if we put fruit Mentos into the Diet Coke, the fountain will be bigger.

Materials:
We need two bottles of Diet Coke, one package of mint Mentos, one package of fruit Mentos, and a measuring cup.

Procedure:
First we put one package of mint Mentos into the Diet Coke.  Then after the fountain, exploded, we measured how much soda came out of the bottle.  Next, we put one package of fruit Mentos into the other bottle of Diet Coke.  Last, we measured how much soda came out of the bottle.

Results:
When we put fruit Mentos into the Diet Coke, 275 ml of soda came out.  When we put fruit Mentos into the Diet Coke, 300ml of soda came out.

Conclusions:
We thought if we put fruit Mentos into the Diet Coke the fountain would be bigger than if we put the mint Mentos into the Diet Coke.  Our hypothesis was supported by our data.