This dancing corn science project is exactly what you need to bring a little more science into your life!
Before I knew what this science project even was, I was sold on it because dancing and science are in the title together! What?! Two of our favorite things in this wild house. Turns out, there’s no actual dancing required, but it was a cool and simple science project anyways!
How To Do The Dancing Popcorn Science Project
Good news- the dancing popcorn science project is super easy, inexpensive and fun- and promotes scientific thinking! It inspires us to marvel at the power of chemistry.
All you need is:
- Unpopped popcorn / dried corn
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- A clear glass
Start by putting the vinegar in the clear glass. If you don’t have a clear drinking glass, you could use a mason jar, pickle jar without the label, or a vase. You just want to see inside it through the sides because that’s where the magic happens!
Next pour in the corn. We did a layer on the bottom. The amount of corn will depend on how big your container is. Mess around with it and see what works best.
Next you add baking soda. Classic, I know- the baking soda and vinegar fizzy eruption! This chemical reaction is what will make the corn dance around. The dancing sometimes continues even after the major bubbles are done. It can last a couple minutes long!
Brief Introduction To The Chemical Reaction Happening In This Science Project
When there was no more dancing, we added a little more baking soda… the whole thing erupted outside of the glass and the kernels began dancing again!
Eventually, adding baking soda stops causing a reaction because the vinegar (acid) has no more protons to give the baking soda (base).
That might sound too advanced to share with kids, but really, it’s not! They might not totally understand it, but it’s never to early to introduce them to advanced concepts- they will be exposed to these things again, and you’re establishing a precedent that scientific lingo isn’t anything to be scared about!
If you want to experience the dancing popcorn science project again, dump out the vinegar and start over. You can use the same popcorn kernels over and over again!
Final Thoughts On The Dancing Popcorn Science Project
I mentioned we did this outside… It was a nice day and we wanted to enjoy the sunshine too. This can be done inside without too much of a mess. Simply perform your experiment on a cookie sheet or inside a baking dish to collect any overflow!
Another idea that we didn’t do this time, is to add food coloring to the vinegar. You don’t want to add too much that vinegar becomes too dark and hides the corn, but a little extra color can make this dancing popcorn science experiment that much more fun!
Homeschool or not, learning happens all the time, every day, not just during certain hours. Embrace it and try this simple science project today!
You might also enjoy:
- Very Simple Apple Volcano Science Experiment
- 9 Science Experiments For Kids
- Easy Bubble Solution Recipe
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