Fizzy Fizzy Soda Pop

Starting way back at the beginning of January, newsletters started coming home about the Twain Science Fair. Last year, Payton helped her friend Camden with his experiment and she loved it. So, this year, she had her heart set on doing her own experiment.

We looked online for some different ideas. We wanted something that Payton found interesting (and that I found inexpensive and easy to do in one day). So, when I reaad about Fizzy Fizzy Soda Pop: How To Make Your Own Homemade Soda Pop, Payton decided that was the one!

Thanks goodness for the snow day! Last Friday, we set up the kitchen and got ready to do some science. The information below is what Payton typed and glued on to her presentation board. She did most all of it herself, I just helped with the data tables!

Question: What Makes The Best Homemade Soda Pop?
Materials: Baking soda, citric acid, water, cups, straws, measuring spoons, and cups.

Procedure:

1. Mix different combinations of baking soda, citric acid, & water to observe bubbles & grittiness.

2. Now test different amounts of sugar to figure out the best sweetness.

3. Add fruit flavors … and enjoy your new soda pop!

Conclusion: The best combination was ½ tsp. baking soda, ¼ tsp. citric acid, and 1 tsp. sugar. (Actual Conclusion...homemade soda pop is not good. Spend the 1$ and buy a Coke! :))

On Thursday night, we headed over to Twain to present our findings.

There were about 25 other students who also had projects. Big Payton studied whether pets preferred natural or artificial pet treats...
And Camden did an experiment with batteries!
Payton and Madelyn did an excellent job demonstrating what happens when you mix citric acid and baking soda, and then letting their "customers" do a taste test comparing lemon-lime and strawberry sodas. They kept a graph of their results, lemon-lime was the clear winner!
It's hard to hear, but here is a video of their presentation...

Oma and Opa and the Vogelzangs also came to support Payton. Thanks so much!

Payton did a great job. With a little coaching, she was comfortable talking to her peers and adults. She was creative and worked hard to put together a great project. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next year!