I. Title: Coke or Pepsi (Or Mug or A&W, etc.), Which is the REAL thing? (For you?)
Recommended Grade Level: Sixth
Subjects: Science
Author(s): Ginny McNeal
School: Orfordville Elementary School


II. Objective: Involve students in critical thinking when choosing their favorite soft drink.

Related State or National Science Education Standards:
A8.3 Defend explanations and models by collecting and organizing evidence that supports them and critique explanations and models by collecting and organizing evidence that conflicts with them.



III. Equipment or Materials Needed
Paper cups, labeled A and B
Coke and Pepsi, or Mug and A&W, or Sprite and 7-up, and Crush and Sunkist

IV. Procedure
Students decide which test they would like to participate in. They first write down all their reasons for drinking the soda of their choice, both personal and other (cost, etc.) Next they go to the correct lab table and take a sip of either A or B. After tasting one, they write down their comments as to whether they think this is the soft drink they normally drink, and whether they like it and why or why not. They get a drink from the drinking fountain in between their test sips. Then they sip the remaining soda and continue the comments for this type. They then have a lab sheet to fill out which discusses their taste preferences and their choice. At the bottom of the lab sheet they try and decide which is which (Coke or Pepsi, A &W or Mug, Sprite or 7-up, etc.)

V. Assessment
Students will be assessed on the completion of their lab reports and the activity. In addition, if they would like to earn any extra credit for the class, they could take additional lab sheets home and involve family members in the taste test. The entire class will compile data and then they will determine the percentage of students (and family members) who were able to determine which was their regular “favorite” soda. (This would involve mathematical skills, thus utilizing integration
Students will then write a short paragraph to defend their choice of soda and why they make the choice they do. If the students were unable to distinguish their “favorite” during the taste test, they would write an additional paragraph explaining why they will return to their original “favorite” soda choice, in light of the results from their taste test.