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Issue link: https://wardsworld.wardsci.com/i/1236354
Procedure: Make sure to record all information in a notebook or spreadsheet: 1. Weigh each food (in most cases, the packaging weight can be ignored as negligible) 2. Have students read the packaging and determine how much sugar is in each serving, and how many servings are in each packaging, then calculate the total sugar by multiplying the sugar content per serving, by the number of servings 3. Using the scoop and the bowl, students should measure out the amount of sugar corresponding to each food into the bowl while weighing, then transfer to separate ziptop bags (make sure to label the bags to keep track of which food they correspond to). 4. The food containers should be emptied of their contents. 5. Using the glue or zip ties, affix the containers to the poster board, and the bags of sugar underneath each container. (Zip ties might be easier for bottles.) 6. For each food, write down the amount of sugar in grams under the bag. 7. For each food, divide the amount of sugar by the total weight of the food (then multiply by 100) to determine the percentage of sugar, and write this value below the amount of sugar on the poster board. 8. Have students research the recommended daily amount of added sugar per person, then divide the amount of sugar in each food by that amount (multiply by 100), and record on the poster for each food as a percentage of the daily recommended amount. Expected Results: Results may vary based on materials used, setup, procedure, and other factors, however, here is an example on what to expect: • Nearly all of these will have high amounts of sugar, and in many cases will exceed the daily recommended amount of added sugar. Follow-up/Teaching Notes: • Students should discuss their results, and whether any particular food or drink seems a healthy alternative. • What are potential drawbacks of diet drinks? Strongly suggested to back this up with current evidence. (Health effects of artificial sweeteners are largely inconclusive at this point.) • Students should discuss the purpose of sugar in energy drinks. A high energy burst (the "sugar high" myth) from sugar consumption has largely been debunked at this point. Add Inquiry: • Have a discussion about dietary components with students, and have them determine what kind of poster they might want to do. The same concept can be applied to fats or carbs in general with all different kinds of foods. Carbs can be represented by sugar by converting to calories (amount of sugar needed to represented however many calories are needed to represent the calories in a particular carb). Similarly, fats can be represented by oil or butter. Disposal/Clean-up: – All excess materials can be disposed of in the regular trash. Sugar Weight Activity (continued) + ward ' s science Find materials for this activity at wardsci.com. Discover more free activities at wardsworld.wardsci.com