Looking for an engaging STEM activity that’s perfect for 2nd-5th graders? The Popcorn STEM Challenge is a student favorite! This easy-to-prep challenge introduces students to the concept of volume in a hands-on, creative way. Students design and build their own popcorn containers and then test and compare their creations. Expect some gigantic containers that make the learning process even more fun!

✅Some Inspiration and a read-aloud!

The activities found in this package were inspired by a book by Tomie dePaola called The Popcorn Book. Picture books can provide the perfect starting point for science investigations. Using the book is, of course, optional. This investigation can be completed without reading the book to your class, or a similar book can be substituted. (Ideas are included in the teacher's guide!)

✅What is the challenge?

• This one-day STEM challenge will have your students thinking about volume.
• After hearing the book read (or talking about volume) students will design and construct a container for a specific amount of popcorn.
• Students will have a list of the Design “rules” and a set of supplies from which to build.
• The final design will test their understanding of volume while requiring them to collaborate, design, and construct.
• In the end, each team will present its final container!

✅What is your prep?

You will need materials in addition to this lesson guide! This includes popped popcorn, storage bags, copy paper, scissors, tape, and staplers. Preparing for this challenge includes counting the popcorn that will be used to test the containers, but don't worry—it's easy! It only takes 2 minutes to count the popcorn, which will just about fill a large cereal bowl. You only need one bowl of the larger amount of popcorn—not one for every team!

✅The lesson guide provides:

• Materials list
• Step-by-step procedures with 6 total pages in the Teacher's Guide
• 2 versions of student recording sheets with answer samples
• 4 pages of photos to guide the use of the package
• Extensions ideas
• Ideas are given to use The Popcorn Book
• scoring rubric
• All student forms are editable.
• A READING SELECTION is included. The passage explores facts and trivia about popcorn. A worksheet is included with an answer key.

✅What are teachers saying?

• "I teach both fifth and sixth-grade classes so it is wonderful that there’s an activity that both classes can do. Anything that mentions hands-on and popcorn in the same activity is a sure winner! Although I no longer teach the actual STEM classes, this was a great way to incorporate science and math into a fun activity. Thanks so much for this creativity!"
• "My students loved using this resource! They had a lot of fun making their own containers to hold the popcorn and we were all very surprised with the results, it was also a plus that we got to eat popcorn after!"

➡️ Click HERE to save 20 % with STEM Volume Bundle

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