Popcorn Lab
Purpose: To further understand (more independently)
how to solve scientific problems through the use of a
problem solving strategy (Sci. Method)
Popcorn Lab
• Have you ever wondered why the delicious popcorn you eat “POPS”?
• How does that salty goodness go from a small kernel to popped perfection?
With a little research/background knowledge, be the scientist you are and find out!
Other thoughts to consider…
1. Why might some kernels NOT pop?
2. How does microwave popcorn get it’s flavor?
NOW, Let’s do an experiment introducing another variable!
Step 1: Ask a Question/Problem
Imagine your craving for popcorn and all you have are
the following: 3 different types of oil, popcorn kernels,
and a metal pot. The sooner it pops, the better! So…
• Does the type of oil affect how quickly the
kernel pops?
Step 2: Research/Gather background
knowledge
Resources:
• Use friends
• Use internet (valid site)
• Use Fusion book pg. 8
Discoveries:
• Water inside the shell boils and causes
•
•
•
•
steam which “pops” the shell open
Increase in temp. causes it to pop
Needs moisture to pop/Inc. in
pressure
212F is temp. at which water boils
Canola oil may be the slowest
Step 3: Write a hypothesis
Key elements:
• IV comes 1st (what I will change)
• DV comes 2nd (data that will be
collected/result)
• If….., then……, because….
• Testable
Identify the variables
• Independent Variables: different
brands of oil
• Dependent Variables: the time it takes
for it to POP
• Controlled Variables: temperature,
amount of oil, brand of popcorn, how
close the test tube is to the heat source
(1 cm)
Plan the experiment
Materials list
• 3 same brand popcorn kernels
• Candle/match
• 3 oils (Vegetable, Canola, Popcorn)
• 1 Test tube
• 1 Stopwatch
Procedures
Step 4: Do the Experiment and record the data
Qualitative
Observations:
(Use your 5 senses)
Type of oil
canola
vegetable
popcorn
Time to pop (in
seconds)
Step 5: Analyze the data and draw a conclusion
•
•
•
•
Summarize the data (qualitative and quantitative)
Report your findings accurately
Make an inference/s based on the data
Graph the data to make it easier to interpret (see next slide for details)
Construct a Graph
•
•
•
•
•
Which type is best for the data? Line, bar, or circle graph
On which axis do the IV and DV belong?
What will you title the graph?
How should each axis be labeled?
After examining the data, what interval will you count by along the axis?
Step 6: Conclusion
Sentence 1: Restate the investigation question and your hypothesis
Sentence 2: Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect? Why? (use data!)
Sentence 3: What are some further ideas (regarding the topic) that could be
investigated?
Sentence 4: Are there any suggestions for changes in the procedures or materials? If
not, what advice might you give another scientist who will conduct the experiment as
you did?
Sentence 5: What did you learn overall?