Part of Lesson Plan: Popcorn Lab- Scientific Method (Variables)

Activity Overview / Details

Anything involving technology tends to grab my students attention. Attached below are three videos found on you-tube. The 1st video shows people in different countries, lining up four cell phones and placing popcorn kernels in middle of the four phones. Next in the video, the individuals call the cell phones and it appears that the ringing cell phones make the kernels pop. After showing the first video clip, the students are amazed and want to try it right there in class. If time permits, I will allow the students to quickly try out what they saw in the video. No matter how hard they try, the kernels will not pop, like in the video. Next, I show the 2nd clip, which is CNN coverage uncovering the hoax. At that time, I ask the students, if cell phones do not make popcorn pop, then what does? If time allows, I show the 3rd clip, which makes fun of the first clip, using bananas instead of phones. I would then lead right into my lesson asking the students what actually makes the popcorn pop. After brainstorming, the students come up with the idea that the packaging is what makes the kernels pop. I then tell the students today, they will be manipulating and testing the packaging of popcorn to determine what about the packaging makes it pop.