Mixing Mayhem

Materials

A selection of juice drinks were available for the students to experiment with. I also tried to have measuring cups and spoons available that listed both Metric and English units.

• Cups (approximately 8 oz), ice, measuring cups and spoons, 2 qt container, 1 liter container, towels to clean juice spills
• Selection of juices and drinks; for example, Cranberry Juice, Lemonade, Orange Juice, GingerAle, Berry Juice, Grape Juice, Ginger Ale, Carbonated Water

Procedures

1. Reviewed that special measuring cups used for liquid and dry measurement. Used a measuring cup with both English and Metric systems to show that 1 cup is equal to 240 ml and that 1 Tablespoon equals 15 ml.
2. Go through the exercise on the handout that compares English and Metric terminology. Do as a group if necessary. Exercise illustrates the simplicity of the Metric system. Emphasize that the Metric system is used by most of the world and only the United States and a handful of small countries continue to use it. Scientists all over the world, including those from the United States, use the Metric system.
3. Told students that the formula for drinks like Coke and Pepsi are a secret. They are being given the opportunity to create their own unique drink and that someday they could be famous, too. If they write the recipe down, they will be able to recreate it and enjoy the same taste every time.
4. Asked students to write down which liquids they wanted to use first and then to remember that they only had one cup in which to make their unique drink. From there, they measure each juice into a measuring cup first and write down how much juice they used, before pouring into their cup. Do one juice at a time, keeping in mind that they are only working with 1 total cup. This part will take about 10-15 minutes.
5. Students who finish their drink mix can start on the Revisiting Gallon Man section. Go over the answers as a group.