How Popcorn Pops! A Thanksgiving Science Experiment

This Thanksgiving science experiment requires making popcorn the old-fashioned way – either with a popcorn popper or on the church stove with a pot and a glass lid! It is worthwhile to hunt down a popcorn popper if you don’t have one, as kids love to see how corn turns from a hard kernel into a fluffy and tasty morsel. It can demonstrate how a little bit of thankfulness can spread and bubble over to the people around us!

Materials

– 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
– 3 Tbsp. canola oil
– Popcorn popper

If you don’t have a popcorn popper:
– Large pot
– Clear glass lid

Instructions

1. Turn on the stove, and put the pot on top. Or turn on the popcorn popper.

2. Pour in the oil.

3. Add two or three kernels and cover with lid.

4. Wait for kernels to pop. For added fun, the kids can submit guesses beforehand about how long it will take to pop.

5. Once they pop you can add the remaining kernels and serve to class.

Explanation

Inside each popcorn kernel is a little bit of water. When you heat the kernels, the water turns to steam and expands. After a while, the pressure from the steam builds up and the popcorn pops!

Conclusion

Gratitude is a powerful force that builds inside us. Like the water in popcorn kernels, you only need a little bit. If you keep practicing being grateful, over time it will build and build until we are just bursting with thankfulness.

You might also be interested in these other awesome Thanksgiving activities!