You will need access to water for this activity. We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.

Prepare Worksheets

Place each Water Test worksheet and each Vinegar Test worksheet into a sheet protector.

Prepare Cups with Powders

Each pair of students will need four cups with mystery ingredients. Divide your 3-oz paper cups into four equal groups. Use a sharpie to write "1" on each cup in the first group and add 1 teaspoon of salt to each cup. Write "2" on each cup in the second group and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Write "3" on each cup in the third group and add 1 teaspoon of sugar. Write "4" on each cup in the fourth group and add 1 teaspoon of salt.

Prepare the Scoop Sticks

Divide your craft sticks into four equal piles. Use a pen to write 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively on the sticks in each pile. Then, place each stick labeled "1" into a cup labeled "1". Repeat this for all ingredient cups.

Prepare Water and Vinegar

Divide your 3-oz plastic cups into two piles. Use a sharpie to write W (or Water) on half the cups and V (or Vinegar) on the other half of the cups. In each W cup, pour 1-2 tablespoons of water. In each V cup, pour 1 tablespoon of vinegar.

Prepare Straws

Cut each straw in half. Place one half straw into each of the W (water) cups.

Organize Supplies for Easy Distribution

Materials for this activity are needed at two different steps, so we suggest organizing them beforehand for easier distribution. In Step 2, students will need the following supplies.

In Step 11, each pair needs the Vinegar Test (in a sheet protector), some paper towels, and a cup of vinegar. We suggest students swap their cup of water for a cup of vinegar to avoid confusing the two clear liquids.