Appropriate grades or age groups:
Elementary School

Estimated time to complete project or implement technique:
30 minutes.

Materials needed (if applicable):
measuring cup
popcorn
oil
popcorn popper
bowl
paper
pencil

Project instructions or description of technique:
Believe it or not, making a cup of popcorn can be a great way to learn to make calculations and estimates. It's a also a great exercise in logic, not to mention a yummy treat! Next time you make popcorn:

1. Have your child pour 1 cup of popcorn into a measuring cup.

2. Pour the measured kernels into a bowl.

3. Count how many kernels you have.

4. Record the number.

5. You now have an estimate as to how many kernels of uncooked popcorn makes up a cup.

6. Ask your child why this number is only an estimate.

7. Help your child to conclude that not every kernel of popcorn is exactly the same size, and the amount will vary from bag to bag.

8. Make a guess as to how many cups of popcorn this 1 cup will make once the kernels are popped.

9. Everyone who is participating should write down their estimated guess.

10. Pop the popcorn.

11. Measure your results.

12. Were the kids' estimations close?

13. What variables might effect the amount of popcorn popped? Was the oil hot enough? Did all the kernels cook? Did any popcorn kernels burn?

14. Ask your child to come to some conclusions. For example, if the popped popcorn made up 6 cups, ask your child how many cups of uncooked popcorn kernels it would take to make about 36 cups of popcorn?.

15. How many kernels of uncooked popcorn would that be (an estimation)?

16. Have fun eating popcorn and keep the figures going as long as the popcorn lasts!