1. By: Hannah Dean

2. SUMMARY
• In this exciting project, 3rd grade students will work in small groups to do an inquiry
based science experiment examining the effects of soda on tarnished pennies.
They will follow the scientific method as they make predictions and then plan for,
carry out, and evaluate their experiment.
• After the experiment, the students will work together to write about the experiment,
the process they went through, and the results. They will also make a hypothesis
as to what caused the change in the pennies. The final steps of the experiment
process will be doing research to discover the answer and analyzing how soda
might affect people who drink it.
• After the students have completed the written summary of their experiment and
findings. They will turn the writing into a script for their movie.
• The final step in the project will be the creation of a video using IMovie on an ipad.
The students will be assisted in this process by their 6th grade technology buddies.
The videos will include a narration of the experiment, the steps of the scientific
method, the outcome, and an evaluation of the results. The video will visually show
the pennies and the changes of the pennies based on the type of soda. The
students can get creative as to the design of their video, as long as the main
components are included.

3. STANDARDS
South Dakota Science Standards
3.P.1.1. Students are able to describe physical properties of matter using
the senses (touch, smell, etc.).
3.P.1.3. Students are able to demonstrate how a different substance can be
made by combing two or more substance
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events
using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event
sequences.
ISTE NET Standards
4- Critical thinking, problem solving, decision making
-4.a, 4.b, 4.c

4. MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY
-Ipads
-IMovie
-Smartboard for showing how to use IMovie and for viewing final projects
-computers with search engine for research
-6th grade technology buddies
For experiment
-at least 6 pennies per group (tarnished pennies only)
-several different kinds of soda (Pepsi, Coke, Dr. Pepper, Sunkist, Sprite)
-distilled water
-clear plastic cups
-notebooks for observation

5. LEARNING OUTCOMES
-The students will use the scientific method as they predict, experiment,
and evaluate their experiment.
-The students will work together as a group to design and create the
experiment and video using IMovie.
-The students will think critically about the effect of soda on pennies and
how that relates to the effect soda has on people.
-The students will analyze the effects the different sodas had on the
pennies and how the students’ predictions matched up to the actual
outcome.

6. MEANINGFUL LEARNING
Active: This project is an example of active learning because the students are required to manipulate the
variable (the types of soda) and then observe the changes in the look and feel of the pennies. The
students are interacting with the materials, manipulating them, observing what happens, and
interpreting the results without a formal lesson or a teacher explaining what is happening.
Constructive: This project is an example of constructive learning because the students see results that
they do not expect. Most students do not know the power that soda has to clean tarnished pennies. As
the students observe the effects the soda has on the pennies, the students are trying to figure out a
puzzling experience and make sense of it. They have to change their mental model of what soda is
and does in order to fit with the new information that they gain through this experiment.
Cooperative: This project is an example of cooperative learning because the students work together in
small groups in order to do the experiment and create the video. The students also have the
opportunity to interact and learn from a sixth grade techonology buddy. The entire project is based on
the students working together, collaborating and sharing ideas. The students are all given both an
individual grade and a group grade.
Authentic: This project is an example of authentic learning for two reasons. First, the students are
following the scientific method which is used by adults both consciously and unconsciously all the
time. Second, the students are observing both the power and the harmful effects of soda. This is a
real-world example for them that hopefully will remind the students of the importance of healthy living
and smart food/drink choices.

7. FINAL PRODUCT
The final product for this project is a video created with IMovie. The written
narration will not be graded.
The video should include:
• a narration of the experiment
• the steps of the scientific method
• the outcome
• an evaluation of the results
• video footage of pennies and the changes to the pennies based on the type
of soda.
• the students’ hypotheses/ research about the effects of soda on people.
The students can get creative as to the design of their video, as long as the main
components are included.

8. TIMELINE OF ACTIVITIES
Day 1: The teacher will introduce the experiment. Students will make predictions about
the effects of soda on tarnished pennies. They will work together and discuss a plan
for setting up the experiment.
Day 2: The students will begin the experiment, taking notes of each step and what they
observe.
Day 3: The students will remove the pennies from the soda and make detailed
observations and recordings of their findings. They will discuss together what
happened and make guesses as to why it occurred.
Day 4: The students will research what caused the reaction with the pennies.
Days 5-6: The students will compile their notes and create a script to use for their video.
Days 7-9: The groups will work with their sixth grade technology buddies to shoot and
edit their videos on an Ipad, using their scripts as narration for the video.
Days 10-11: The groups will share their videos with the class.

9. ASSESSMENT