Turn a student-favorite challenge into a STEM and Scientific Method investigation. This print-and-go lab walks middle schoolers through the full scientific method as they test how bottle fill level impacts upright landing success. This lab is also appropriate for early high school as well.

Students plan a fair test (clear variables and controls), collect outcomes, summarize results in a table, and create a bar graph to identify the optimal fill level—all with ready-to-use handouts, an easy to understand rubric, and a teacher guide explaining the physics (center of mass, rotation, and fluid damping). Minimal materials (plastic bottles, water, tape, ruler) make it easy to run in one or two periods, with built-in extensions for surface type, release height, or bottle size.

My Promise to You

I know every classroom is different. If you purchase a resource and feel it is not the right fit for your students, contact me and I’ll provide 2x the amount you paid in store credit toward another resource in my store, so you can find something that better supports your students.

What’s Included

• Teacher guide (purpose, setup, safety, background science, pacing)
• Student packet (driving question, hypothesis, variables, detailed procedure)
• Data tables for multiple fill levels (0%, 25%, 33%, 50%, 75%)
• Graphing page (bar graph prompts and clear labels)
• Analysis questions with model answers
• Simplified rubric (design, data quality, graphing & analysis, CER, collaboration)
• Optional extensions for inquiry and differentiation
• The following BONUS Activities are Included

1. Scientific Method – M&M’s Activity – A Scientific Method Activity and Lesson
2. Parachute STEM Lab - Canopy Diameter vs Descent Time
3. The Scientific Method Word Search and Scramble Activity
4. Crash Course BIOLOGY The Scientific Method Video Worksheet

Why it works

• Engages instantly (students love bottle flips)
• Builds real lab skills: fair tests, consistent technique, clean data
• Runs with simple materials: plastic bottles, water, tape, ruler
• Perfect for a one- or two-period lesson, stations, or STEM days

➡️ You can get this STEM as well as all my other ones in this series inside my STEM Investigations Growing Bundle. As more labs are added, the price will increase. CLICK HERE to have a look

I also have the following STEM Labs in My Store:

• Blow Cup Challenge STEM Lab
• Paper Table STEM Lab
• Pendulum STEM Lab
• Parachute STEM Lab
• Catapult STEM Lab
• Paper Airplane - Angle of Attack STEM Lab
• Bottle Flip STEM Lab
• Paper Helicopter STEM Lab
• Yeast Balloon STEM Lab
• Balloon Lift Design STEM Lab
• Candy Combustion Calorimetry STEM
• Marble Ramp: Height vs Average Speed STEM Lab
• Clean Water Filtration STEM Lab
• Beetle Genetics STEM Lab
• Adaptations by Design - Extreme Environments STEM Lab

NGSS Alignment

• MS-ETS1-1: Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem.
• MS-ETS1-2: Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process.
• MS-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests to determine similarities/differences among solutions.
• MS-PS2-2: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces and the mass of the object.
• Science & Engineering Practices: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations; Analyzing & Interpreting Data; Constructing Explanations; Engaging in Argument from Evidence.