Students can create a taste-test science project with gum. The purpose of this type of science project is to identify which brand of gum last longer. This project requires three to five different brands of gum, such as Wrigley's, Stride, Trident, Bubblicious and a store brand. In addition, students need a timer, paper, a pen and a trash can. Students need to chew a piece of gum from each brand and time how long the particular gum maintains its flavor.
Another gum taste test consists of comparing the flavors of one particular brand of gum. For instance, the brand Bubblicious produces lemonade orange and a host of other flavors. Students will taste and evaluate each flavor of a particular brand of gum and record the amount of time it took for the gum to lose its flavor. This science project requires a chart, three to five different flavors of the same brand of gum, a garbage can and pen.
Chewing science projects that incorporate gum can teach students about speed. Evaluate how many times a student can chew a piece of gum in a particular period. Some time frames for the project include 1 minute, three minutes and five minutes. The teacher places students in groups of three or four, and each student has a chance to chew a piece of gum. Students need to designate a person to start the timer and a person to keep record. Also, each group can chew the same brand of gum or select their own brand of gum for their project.
Students in the 6th grade can learn about distance with a science project involving gum. The purpose of this science project is to measure the distance of a piece of gum when a student throws the gum to a certain point. Students need to have up to 5 pieces of gum that have different shapes and sizes. For example, students may opt for Bubblicious gum that has a rectangular chucky appearance, a Stride Shift piece of gum with a thin rectangular shape about an inch in length or a gumball with a half-inch diameter. Students will throw a piece of gum that has not been chewed toward a wall. Some questions student can think about may include does the shape of the gum affect the results and does the weight of the gum affect the outcome.
Sugar can change the taste of a variety of foods. The purpose of this science project is to review various types of gum and monitor the effect of the amount of sugar in the product. Students can evaluate gum made from the same brand or evaluate a variety of brands. Children need to review each piece of gum's sugar quantity and review how each piece of gum tastes. Students need to think about whether gum that has a lot of sugar tastes better than gum without sugar, or which brand of gum with a lot of sugar tastes better.