Science Fair Project Kaitlyn Hoskins

Do Gummy Bears Grow in Liquids?

Hypothesis I believe that Gummy Bears do grow in liquids because they absorb the water.

Materials Gummy Bears 4 Bowls Water Salt Soda Milk Measuring Cup Pencils Ruler Data Recording Device (paper, excel, etc.)

Procedures Open pack of gummy bears and pick out 4 bears. Observe and record each gummy bear’s shape, smell, size, color, etc. Measure each gummy bear’s length and height (using CM ruler) and record the data. Fill each bowl with the following: 1 cup of tap water 1 cup of water with 2 tablespoons of salt 1 cup of soda 1 cup of milk Place one gummy bear in each of the bowls and leave for 24 hours. After 24 hours, remove each gummy bear from the bowl. Observe each bear and record the following: Bear’s color Bear’s shape Bear’s size (measure length and height with CM ruler) Bear’s smell Other noticeable differences Compare the date from before the bears were placed in the bowls to their changes when taken out of the bowls to formulate a conclusion.

Data Before Gummy Bear out of Package (4 of the same) Length: 2 cm Height: 4 cm Color: Yellow/Clear Smell: Sugar/gelatin Other: Looks normal

Data After Gummy Bear in Coke Gummy Bear in Salt Water Gummy Bear in Water Gummy Bear in Milk Length: 4 cm Length: 1 cm Length: 2 cm Height: 4 cm Height: 1.5 cm Height: 3 cm Color: Brown Color: White Color: Original Color: Original with white spot Smell: Coke Smell: Salty Smell: Water Smell: Milk Other: Gummy bear absorbed the soda and grew wider Other: Gummy bear absorbed salt turning it white. Other: Gummy bear absorbed the water Other: Gummy bear absorbed some of milk and changed the color

Conclusion The Gummy Bears absorbed the solution’s contents which altered the bears shape, size, color, and smell. The Gummy Bears grew in water, soda, and milk but shrunk in the salt. The bear grew in size to be able to hold the water. The sodium chloride in salt made the Bear’s sugar break down and shrink. I learned that Gummy Bear’s will react/adapt to the solution they are placed into, much like people.