Andrea Urmston’s fourth-graders recently conducted a taste test. The goal was to see if people prefer name brand items or their store brand counterparts.

 

 

On the day of the taste test, they invited third, fourth and fifth grades and any other staff members who wanted to help with the research. Using their best customer service skills, the students asked guests to try “Sample A” and “Sample B” to see which one they preferred. Secrecy was maintained at all times – no one, not even the teacher or best friends, were allowed to know which sample was which! Votes were tallied, with the goal of getting 100 votes to make converting to percentages easier.

 

 

After the data was complied, the fourth-graders analyzed it to see which products came out the winners. The students tested products from chips to cereal, brownies to popcorn, marshmallows to cookies, and even a few drinks. The overall class results were:

• 16 name brand products were preferred
• 6 store brand products were preferred
• There was 1 tie (mini marshmallows)
• For 1 item(Froot Loops), “No difference” had the most votes

 

 

This was a project that combined math, writing, communication, and the scientific method. Students chose an item to test and made a prediction about which one they thought would get the most votes.

 

 

What the students learned is that while most people do prefer name brand items, there are some store brands that taste just as good or even better, for a fraction of the price. It pays to do the research!