Using the Scientific Method for SCIENCE INQUIRY How much SUGAR is in Gum? by Vicenza Middle School 8th Grade, October 2014

Problem Which gum contains the most sugar---Winterfresh,Spearmint, Doublemint, BigRed, Juicyfruit, Bazooka?

Formulate the Hypothesis The Bazooka brand of gum contains the most sugar and the Winterfresh contains the second most, and the other gums contain the least amount of sugar.

Identify and Control Variables Controlled Variables mass of gum Independent/Manipulated Variable gum brands Dependent/Responding Variable mass of sugar loss (gum loses flavor) *** Controlled Variables are those things that are kept the same *** The Manipulated Variable is the one thing that is changed *** The Responding Variable is what is measured

Test the Hypothesis Materials Needed: Different brands of gum Scale (Digital is best) Gum wrapper or foil Calculator Stopwatch

Test the Hypothesis Steps for conducting the investigation: Zero the scale with the wrapper. Mass (g) the piece of gum. Record on chart. 3. Chew the piece of gum until no more flavor (sugar) is tasted. Place the chewed gum on the scale (on foil or wrapper). Mass (g) the piece of chewed gum. Record. Calculate the percentage of sugar in gum (sugar lost): % sugar in gum = mass of sugar (g) x 100 mass of gum (g)

Collect Data 3.) % Sugar in gum 1.) Mass of gum (g) Gum Brand 1.) Mass of gum (g) 2.) Mass of gum after chewing 3.) % Sugar in gum Time of chewing: Step 1: Subtract the mass of the gum after chewing from the Mass of Gum before chewing to get the Mass(g) of the Sugar. Step 2: Divide the Mass(g) of the Sugar by the mass of the gum before chewing to find the % of Sugar in Gum. Calculate results:

Collect Data 66 4.7 g 1.6 g 3.) % Sugar in gum Winterfresh Gum Brand Winterfresh 1.) Mass of gum (g) 4.7 g 2.) Mass of gum after chewing 1.6 g 3.) % Sugar in gum 66 Time of chewing: about 10 minutes Step 1: Subtract the mass of the gum after chewing from the Mass of Gum before chewing to get the Mass(g) of the Sugar. Step 2: Divide the Mass(g) of the Sugar by the mass of the gum before chewing to find the % of Sugar in Gum. 4.7 g – 1.6 g = 3.1 g 3.1 g ÷ 4.7 g = 0.66 x 100

Collect Data BigRed 62.5 51 70 69 66 52 63 64 65 64 70 Doublemint Bubble Gum Brand % of Sugar BigRed 62.5 51 70 69 66 52 63 64 65 64 70 Doublemint 68 67 62 67 55 63 68 74 Winterfresh 63 66 57.1 67 70 Juicyfruit 60 62 63 50 51 67 67 Bazooka 66, 69 61 65 63 66.7 58 68 74 66 Spearmint 60 66 61

Collect Data Insert a photo and/or scan a hand-drawn illustration or diagram Describe photo here

Interpret Data Include a statement about results here

Conclusion Yes, the results supported my hypothesis. or No, the results did not support my hypothesis.

Inquire Further Questions I still have: Did I design a fair test?