Water Wars: 8th Graders Weigh in on Bottled Water Brands

8th-grade Health and Wellness teacher Taylor Veillon purchased nearly 20 different brands of bottled water to put them to the ultimate taste test.

Who knew water could be so controversial?

Mrs. Veillon’s 8th-grade Health and Wellness class at East Lawrence Middle School turned the simple act of sipping water into a full-blown experiment, analyzing bottled brands for taste, mineral content, and pH. The results? Some waters wowed, others flopped, and the students walked away with a newfound appreciation for what’s in their bottle.

Inspired by the Netflix series Down to Earth with Zac Efron, the project kicked off with research. Students studied various bottled water brands, comparing their Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and pH levels. After discussing their findings, the real fun began: a taste test to see how science stacked up against their palates.

Each water was evaluated on flavor and overall quality, with “tasting notes” from the companies paired against the students’ honest—and often hilarious—reviews. From “smooth and refreshing” to “this tastes like the hose in July,” no opinion was left unspoken. Mrs. Veillon added these student observations to a slideshow, creating a blend of thoughtful analysis and lighthearted fun.

The experiment also sparked discussions about the importance of high-quality drinking water. Students learned that mineral content and pH can greatly impact taste and hydration benefits. They even identified a sweet spot for water quality, favoring a TDS of around 300 and a neutral pH of 7-8.

In Mrs. Veillon’s words, “How they came up with some of these reviews is not my business, but they WERE accurate.” The project was a refreshing mix of science, teamwork, and hands-on learning, making it a fun and educational way to wrap up the semester.

Who would’ve guessed that something as simple as water could make such a splash in the classroom?