Yummy Gummy Bears!

        I have not completed a science fair project since I was in middle school. Through my science fair experiments I would bond with my nana. For my science methods class I was required to complete a science fair project. I chose to research and experiment with my favorite food, gummy bears! The night before I decided on a topic I was talking to my sister about how cool it would be to grow a giant gummy instead of buying one at a candy store. So, I decided to try different solutions to see which would grow the biggest gummy bear. I had a bowl filled with water, bowl filled with salt water, bowl filled with milk, bowl filled with Tide laundry detergent, bowl filled with baking soda, bowl filled with apple cider vinegar, and a bowl filled with Sprite. I also had a controlled gummy bear which was also placed in a bowl but with no solution. After I dropped a red gummy bear into each solution making sure to cover them right away so they would all be covered for the same amount of time. I let my gummy bears sit for eighteen and a half hours. My hypothesis before starting the experiment was that water would grow the biggest gummy bear, because water is the universal solvent. To my surprise after measuring the gummy bears the next day, the bowl with the water and with Sprite grew the same size largest gummy bear. I furthered my research and Sprite is made up of 95% water. This experiment proved that water is the universal solvent. I was shocked to see the apple cider gummy bear into pieces.
           I had fun doing my experiment because I felt like I was back in middle school being a little scientist. I also got to spend time with my nana because she wanted to be my assistant. I have a lot of people to thank for helping me make my progress a success. I have to thank my step-father, Randy, for buying me the gummy bears or I could not have done the experiment. I would like to thank my mother for letting me take over the dining room table for two nights to complete my experiment and research. And I would like to thank my nana for being my assistant every step of the way. I realized without the help of others nothing would get done in life. I would also like to thank Dr Smirnova for giving me the opportunity to bring the scientist out in me. I also decided to make an actual poster board for my project because that helped me experience the full effect of a "science fair." Yes it might have taken me a little bit longer to make to make my board, but it showed my effort I put into my project. I believe that science fairs are important for all ages. Experiments ignite the students' intellectual curiosity. Throughout my Science Methods classI learned just how important it is to jumpstart a child's intellectual curiosity. I do wish we could have presented our findings and poster boards in person. I thought the voice thread was really neat though. I enjoyed conducting my science fair project, and I can not wait to be in charge of my own science fair one day!