This machine is so STEM, you just gotta see it.

Soda machine at 5 Guys.
STEM is everywhere.

My wife was out of town and I had not listened to what we were supposed to do for dinner so my solution was to take the kids out for dinner. We hadn't been to 5 Guys in a long time we we decided to stop by.

We ordered and turned the corner to fill up our drinks and stopped cold, the FreeStyle machine was open. One of the employees explained to me how the whole thing works and I was in awe.

The first thing that hit me was how much they must be saving on shipping costs. Look near the bottom of the image above, you can see where all the flavor packs are stored. Each of these holds about two hundred drinks and weights less than a paperback book. The carbonated water and sweeteners are added the instant you fill your drink selection. No need to ship those five pound boxes of syrup anymore!

How is this STEM?

• The mixing of the drink is very precise, I wonder what the mathematical formula is for this. This technology originated from a drug manufacturer.
• I was amazed at who designed the outside shell of the machine, not in a million years would I have guessed it. Just Google Coke-Cola Freestyle and check out the webpage.
• The machine as an app. What has to take place to allow your mobile to talk with the machine? Check the video below to see how it works.
• Why would they have a Facebook page? 
• How many drink combinations can they make based upon the flavorings and sweeteners?
• How do the RFID chips work?
• etc...