Popcorn Science: Make Microwave Popcorn

• Make sure to include the 5 senses when you put together this popcorn experiment! Ask the kiddos questions along the way. Making popcorn is a great way to explore the 5 senses.

• Taste it

• Touch it

• Smell it

• Hear it

• See it

HOW TO MAKE POPCORN IN THE MICROWAVE

YOU WILL NEED:

• Popcorn kernels

• Brown paper lunch bags

• Optional: salt and Butter

STEP 1. Open a brown paper bag and pour in 1/3 cup popcorn kernels.

STEP 2. Fold the top of the bag down twice.

STEP 3. Place the popcorn in a bag in the microwave and cook on high for about 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from the microwave when you hear the popping slow down so it doesn’t burn. It will be hot so parents or older helpers should remove the bag from the microwave.

STEP 5. Add melted butter and salt to your heart’s desire. Be careful when you open the bag as the kernels might still be popping and it will be very hot.

Why does popcorn go pop?

Inside each kernel (solid) of popcorn is a small drop of water (liquid) that is stored within the soft starch. Each kernel needs the right combination of moisture content and heat from an external source like a microwave to produce the awesome popping sounds.

Steam (gas) builds up inside the kernel and eventually bursts the kernel when it becomes too much for the hull to hold. The soft starch spills out into the unique shape you get to see and taste! That is why popcorn kernels pop!

Additional Experiments

• Will the same amount of kernels yield the same amount of popped corn each time? Make sure to use the same measurements, same brand, and same set up for each bag and run three separate trials to draw your results.

• Which brand of popcorn pops the most kernels?

• Does butter or oil make a difference? Pop the corn with and without butter to see! You will need to run several trials to gather enough data. (More bags of popcorn to taste!)

• Which brand of popcorn pops the most kernels?

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