Science Saturday - Bouncy Popcorn Kernels

For today's Science Saturday I thought I would highlight a science experiment that is easy to do, doesn't require a lot of items and is easy to incorporate some core vocabulary into.

Bouncy Popcorn Kernels  are fun to watch.

You will need:

A clear container - I used a vase

Baking Soda

Vinegar

Popcorn Kernels

Water

Spoon

Communication Board - this is one I used from Minspeak

I started by showing the children the items we were going to use and asked them "what", "do", "this"?

"What are we going to do with this?"

It's important to use a communication board yourself so that the children see one in use.

We can't expect children to do something they don't see us doing.

We start with the container (It doesn't matter that we don't have the exact picture of what we are using.  We use what the children have to describe what we are using/doing) and fill it with water.

We added a tablespoon of baking soda and stirred it up.

We talked about what we needed to use to stir the water up.

We "put" in the kernels.  Just enough to cover the bottom.

Then we added some vinegar.  I found using a small measuring cup easier than a spoon for children with fine motor issues (less spillage).

We "look"ed to see what happened to the kernels.

We took "turns" looking a the popcorn and seeing what was going on in the container.

Everyone said they "like"d it.

We let it sit and kept looking at it throughout the day.  After awhile, the popcorn stopped moving and most of it settled on the bottom.

Even an hour later, the odd kernel was still going up or down.

Keep your words simple and model for the children the vocabulary you want them to use.  Before you know it, they will be using some of the words on their own.  Try doing an activity of own.  What simple combination of words could you use to talk about what you are doing?

Have Fun!