Jumping Corn - Baking Soda and Vinegar Preschool STEM
Baking soda and vinegar preschool STEM activities are iconic. They have become stables in preschool STEM because it is ridiculously simple and safe for our kiddos to do independently.
Science is kinda my favorite subject! I love doing experiments like this with Rea because she gets so excited and I can see her love for science grow as we learn!
Our jumping corn experiment is a simple chemical reaction. We all know that vinegar and baking soda together create a reaction, but we’re going to add some popcorn kernels to the mix so that we can see the reaction in a different way.
Be sure to talk with your preschooler as you perform the experiment about their predictions and observations.
Focus Skills
Science
- Pose “what,” “why” and “how” questions about their surroundings
- Make predictions, perform experiments, and discuss results
- Use 5-senses to make observations
Required Materials
- Clear Jar
- Popcorn Kernels
- Vinegar
-
Baking Soda -
Water
Baking Soda
WaterDirections:
- Fill a clear jar or glass about halfway with water.
- Add popcorn kernels to the jar.
- We used 1/4 of a cup, but you can certainly get away with less.
- Pour some vinegar in the jar.
- We didn’t measure, which was very unscientific of us, but I would say about 1/4 of a cup.
- Before adding the baking soda ask your preschooler, “What do you think will happen when we add the baking soda?”
- Add a teaspoon of baking soda and get ready for a reaction.
- Talk with your preschooler about what they see, ask them to describe what’s happening.
- This will be deepen their comprehension of the experiment they just engaged in and it is an opportunity for them to engage in the scientific process in an oral format.
Teacher Tip
Having a jar with a lid came in handy because we quickly put the lid on the jar. This prevented any spilling and it forced the gas created from the reaction to stay inside the jar which led to more movement of the kernels.
To make life a little easier on you I have put all of this in a printable PDF lesson plan.
