Diet Coke Fountain

Learning Objectives

• Pupils complete a quick design and make exercise by making a simple device to deliver Mentos mints into a bottle of diet coke from a safe distance.
• Pupils are given the opportunity to think creatively about how to solve a technical problem.
• Pupils are shown simple strategies to help them think creatively in a technical situation.

Where this fits into the Technology Key Stage 3 Strategy, Making high quality products sub skill.
                “Pupils become autonomous and creative problem solvers”.

Content.

• Pupils are shown the PowerPoint presentation that demonstrates how the Diet Coke fountain happens.
• Pupils are then asked to design and make a system that will allow the fountain to be produced so that the fountain is controlled but achieves the maximum possible effect.
• Teachers should demonstrate possible problem solving strategies that will make this easier.
• One possible strategy is to break the task down into a series of simple objectives.
• In this instance the task could be broken down into;
• how to deliver the mints so they do not form a lump at the bottom of the bottle?
• how to deliver them quickly?
• how to trigger the experiment from a safe distance?

Pupils come up with solutions for each part of the problem then see if it is possible to amalgamate any of the individual solutions into one system that solves the whole problem.

• Resources
• Two litre bottle of diet coke, must be diet because ordinary coke contains inhibitors that stop the carbon dioxide bubbles forming.
• A range of materials that pupils can select from, this can be anything but suggest the range contains tubing of a similar diameter to the top of the bottle.
• The materials should also contain masking tape, duck tape (Which teacher might want to keep control of) card, wire, string.
• Pupils should be allowed access to a drill and other equipment appropriate to the materials that have been selected.
• Either staff or pupil access to a glue gun may be an advantage.
• (Ideally there should be an element of Scrapheap challenge about the whole project, that is making use of available resources).   
• Access to a computer running Microsoft PowerPoint.

Safety Issues.

• Consider the machines and tools the pupils are being encouraged to use,
• Have they being given instruction in how to use them and are there any specific safety procedures that need to be followed, for example are goggles needed or safety clothing?
• Are there any safety procedures associated with any of the materials to be used, for example the point of any wire rods or the glue being used?
• The experiment itself is quite safe and if conducted on grass should not lead to slipping hazards, the coke itself isn’t sticky because it contains no sugar.

Estimated Time To Complete The Exercise – one and a half hours