Other ways of cooking popcorn

Type of resource: Blog, guidelines

Web address https://lemonlimeadventures.com/popcorn-science-stem/#_a5y_p=5957911

Language: English

Description

To see which is the best way to cook popcorn.

Scientific concept introduced

To soak, pre-heat.

Creative and critical thinking

To imagine other ways of cooking popcorn.

Mathematical reasoning

To count the seconds we will need to preheat our kernels and the time we will soak them in the different products.

To develop the ability to observe and discover.

Scientific thinking

To ask questions.

To analyze the differences between the popcorns, how the changes on the preparation change the result.

Learning how to learn

To develop their motivation to learn and engage with the activities.

Additional

To think about what will happen when a kid eats popcorn every day.

Other ways of cooking popcorn

Overall aims

To develop the ability to observe and discover
To strengthen the research attitude of children
To improve children’s problem-solving (take initiative)
To conduct a research
To create the learning opportunity for explaining the concept of popping kernels.
To improve their active listening

Vocabulary – keywords should be understood

Popcorn, kernels, lunch sacks, oil, jar, microwave, to pop, to soak, to heat, to pre-heat, control group, label, taste.

Expected learning outcomes (operational aims)

To follow the steps
To explain the concept of popping
To measure or calculate the non-popped kernels
To discover the effect of adding substances

STEM skills – to which the learning unit is related to

CORE STEM SKILLS

● Asking questions.
● Analysing and solving problems.
● Designing experiments.
● Conducting research
● Drawing conclusions based on results.
● Motivation to learn and engage.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

Sharing ideas
Following the safety rules and discipline
Accepting leadership and management.
Basic literacy- listening with comprehension

Teaching methodologies/activity outline

1- Divide the kernel into four groups: control group (plain kernels), soaked in oil group, and soaked in water group, pre-heated group.

2- Measure ¼ of a cup of kernels for each group.

3- Soak the oil and water groups for about an hour before popping.

4- Heat the pre-heat group in the microwave for 40 seconds before popping.

5- The children can carefully label each container to keep track of which kernels belong in each group.

6- Place each group of kernels in a brown paper lunch sack and fold the top down.

7- Heat each group of kernels for exactly two minutes in the microwave.

8- Perform a taste test and a kernel test to determine the best way to cook popcorn. Which group tastes better? Which group has more popped kernels? And less popped kernels?

Assessment of learning

Initial evaluation
– Get to know the previous knowledge they could know about the same theme.

Continued evaluation
– Progressively acquire basic habits of autonomy in everyday actions, to act safely and effectively.
– Observe and explore the immediate, natural and physical environment, with an attitude of curiosity and respect and gradually participate in social and cultural activities.
– Participate in the activity, through movement, assimilating sensations related to taste and with a progressive understanding of the necessity of some norms.
– Use the oral language, gesture and images to express ideas, desires, feelings and emotions; Listen and participate actively in regular situations.
Conversation and learning with the use of non-discriminatory language, and with attitude of respect towards other cultures and different languages.
– Manifesting the necessary abilities to be able to listen, observe, interpret and create in the different languages: verbal, body, plastic, musical, and mathematical audio-visual, and incorporate the introduction to technological instruments (ICT).

Final evaluation
To evaluate the learning objectives, use the chart in which the more important elements will be highlighted.