Science Projects on the Amount of Sugar in Pop

Manufacturers put sugar into plenty of processed foods, including soda. Children often don't have a complete understanding about how sugary foods impact their bodies, so science experiments that demonstrate the amount of sugar that resides in soda can be eye-opening for them. Pair these experiments with lessons on health and nutrition for maximum impact on kids as they learn about what they put into their bodies.

Floating Cans

Fill a large clear container, such as a 10-gallon aquarium, with water. Gather several varieties of cola---some diet, some name brand, some generic. Allow children to place the soda cans in the water to see if they float or sink. Children will be surprised to learn that the diet cans float while the sugar-filled ones sink. That's because sugar weighs more than artificial sweetener, and sodas use a lot of sugar.
To help students visualize the amount of sugar in a can of soda, have them measure out dry granulated sugar in a paper cup that equals the amount of sugar listed on the soda can. The results will surprise children.

Hydrometer Measurements

Learn how food scientists actually measure how much sugar is in sodas so that amount can be printed on the cans for consumers. With a simple science-kit hydrometer (a device that measures the density of liquids), children can test for the exact amount of sugar in soda. Students should test flat, room-temperature soda by submerging the hydrometer in the soda. The soda should be tested three times, with the hydrometer rinsed and dried after each measurement. Three tests ensure an accurate conclusion. Children can chart the sugar content of different sodas or compare the measurement to the amount printed on each can.

Sugar Extraction

Remove the soda from the sugar in this science experiment that requires adult supervision around the hot stove. Using a pan (first weighing it empty and recording the weight), scale and can of regular soda, put the soda to boil in the pan. After the liquid ingredients have boiled away (after about 10 minutes of constant stirring), a thick syrup remains. Students can weigh the syrup in the pan and subtract the weight of the pan to get an accurate measurement of the sugar.