Learning Lab Basics: The Bubble Gum Experiment
Objective/Goal:
• Apply the scientific method through inquiry based lab
• Use tools collect data and create a data table
• Represent data from a table on a line graph
• Write up a lab report
Background Information/Engagement:
Students will review the main vocabulary involved in the scientific method. The students will
review words: independent variable, which is the variable that changes and it is placed along
horizontal line, or x-axis; dependent variable is the variable being measured and it is placed along
the vertical axis, or y-axis; constants, which are the variables that are kept constant. A line graph
is a graph that shows the relationship between two variables- how one level affects another.
Students can answer lead question: Does the flavor of bubble gum last forever? Why or why not?
Question/problem/hypothesis:
Materials:
- 3 different brands of gum
- 1 timer per group
- paper bags
Procedures:
1. Get in groups of 3-4 students.
2. Each group will get 3 types of gums and label them Brand A, Brand B, and Brand C.
3. Students will start by getting one type of gum. (Brand A)
4. Each student will fill out his/her own chart.
5. Take a piece of Brand A gum and unwrap it.
6. Put it in your mouth and begin chewing. Decide on the amount of flavor in the gum using
the Flavor Score Chart and enter the number in your data table under "at start."
7. Chew the piece of gum for 2 minutes, when the timer calls out 2 minutes, decide on a Flavor
Score using the chart and enter the number in your data table under "2 minutes."
8. Repeat step 7 for 4 minutes and 6 minutes. When you are finished with the gum, put it in the
trash bag
9. Begin with steps 5-8 for Brand B gum and Brand C gum. Record your data.
10. Average your flavor score for each Brand of gum. Remember to calculate your average, use a
calculator, add up all numbers and divide by 4.
11. Make a line graph for each Brand and answer conclusion questions. (You will have 3 different
colored lines on your graph-one for each gum).
Data Table:
FLAVOR SCORE CHART:
(No flavor) 1 .................... 2 .................... 3 .................... 4 .................... 5 (A LOT of flavor)
Brand of Gum
Table 1: Flavor of Each Gum
At start
At 2 minutes
At 4
minutes
At 6
minutes
Average
Flavor
Data Analysis & Calculations:
-Students will make a line graph using the data in the columns: At start, at 2 minutes, at 4 minutes,
at 6 minutes. One line will be for "Brand A" gum, one line for "Brand B gum", and one line for
"Brand C gum."
Make a bar graph for the average flavor for each of the three gums.
Results and Conclusions:
1. Was your hypothesis proven?
2. What was the independent variable in this experiment (the factor that is changed)?
3. What is the dependent variable in this experiment (the factor being measured)?
4. What are 2 constants in this experiment (things kept the same)?
5. Look at the graph. What information can you learn from the data you gathered?
6. What is the most interesting discovery you made from the graph?
7. List 3 questions that you can answer using the graph
Closure Activity:
• Create a class data table and compare and contrast all the data collected from different
groups.
• Discuss among classmates why some data is the same and why some data is different.
• Analyze whole class data and have students from different groups state their
observations.