making the model!!

 i didn't want to just use plastic cups to catch the water, since the presentation of the model is very important, so I came up with the idea of using red and blue cups to identify which is hot water and cold water, and attach that to small containers that are easier to hold, and dont penetrate heat or cold easily, so it is much more comfortable to hold.

I cut out the cups so that they fit in nicely.

i took inspiration from mcdonalds' cup lids and cut out two incisions in an x shape so that the straw fits tightly and doesn't slide off 

I tried to make a variety of braces to hold the cup in place or else it leans to the side.

eventually, i found that this way was much better, where I stuck a bit of wire through the inverted cup and fitted it into the containers so that it stays in place.