Popcorn Science Project Ideas
Popcorn is not just for eating at the movies or as a snack; you can also turn your fun snack into a science project. By using popcorn as a science project, you can learn how the popcorn pops, what makes the popcorn pop and which method helps the popcorn to cook quicker and taste better. You can use this simple experiment to help to scrutinize the popcorn process.
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Hypothesis
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Develop a hypothesis for your popcorn science project. Ask yourself a question about your project, such as why does popcorn pop? Guess which popcorn method is the best. Then write down your conclusion about each popcorn method on a piece of paper and see if your hypothesis is true or false.
Stove Top and Hot Air Popper Method
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Measure a cup of popcorn kernels in a measuring cup for the hot air popper and the stove top popping method. Here children will need your parents or an older sibling to assist you. Read the directions on the popcorn container for cooking instructions. To keep time, use a chronograph or your cellular phone. If you don't have one, use a clock that has a second hand to keep up with the time for both sets of popcorn when the first pop starts all the way to the end.
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Keeping Records
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Use a sheet of paper to write down the total time that the popcorn takes to cook on the stove top and in the hot air popper. Create a graph chart for both methods of cooking to help you track the times. When both methods of cooking are done, pour the popcorn in separate bowls. Count the number of kernels that did not pop. Examine the texture of the popcorn in both bowls. Determine which texture of popcorn is the best and which method of cooking tastes better.
Set Up Your Results
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Take pictures of the results from your two methods of cooking. Create two graphs with your graphing paper for each method that you used for popping the corn kernels. Write a small report about what you witnessed during your popcorn project such as your hypothesis (what you guessed), what method of cooking you chose, which popcorn method was the best. Determine if your hypothesis was correct or incorrect. Once you do this, paste all of your graphs, pictures and papers to your three-sided board and you're finished.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit popcorn image by Ewe Degiampietro from Fotolia.com
