Grades K–12 (Kit)
Pop popcorn straight from the cob! This simple, hands-on activity lets students experience popcorn in its most natural form. Just unwrap the ear, place it in a brown paper bag, roll the end closed, and microwave. In just minutes, you’ll have fresh, fluffy popcorn — a great way to spark curiosity about where our food comes from.
This activity is perfect as an attention-grabber or science tie-in when teaching about seeds, plant growth, or food processing.
Kit Contents
- Popcorn ear(s) wrapped for freshness
- Brown paper bag for safe popping
- Instructions for safe popping
Storage Tip: Keep popcorn ears in a cool, dry place to maintain freshness until ready to use.
Lesson Plans
Use this kit with lessons related to plant growth, seeds, and food systems available on the National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix. A perfect complement to lessons exploring plant parts and how food travels from farm to table.
Extend the Learning
Compare popped kernels to unpopped ones under a hand lens, or have students track how heat and water interact to make popcorn pop. You can also tie this activity into lessons about plant anatomy by dissecting kernels and exploring their parts.