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Here is a science project for all of you AWESOME HOMESCHOOLERS!!!

This dancing corn experiment can get a bit messy in a fun way! Make sure to have a surface or area you can easily clean up. You can even start by placing your glass or jar in a pie dish or on a cookie sheet to catch the overflow.

YOU WILL NEED:

  • Tall Jar or Glass {mason jars work well}
  • 1/4 cup of popping corn
  • 2 tbsp of baking soda
  • 1 cup  of vinegar (use as needed)
  • 2 cups of water

DANCING CORN EXPERIMENT SET UP

1. Grab your ingredients and let’s get started! You can use just about any tall glass or jar. An adult might want to assist with the measuring and pouring if necessary, but it’s also great practice for junior scientist.

2.  You can then have the kiddos fill the jar with 2 cups of water to start.

3. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and stir well to mix thoroughly. You can also talk about which solids dissolve in water!

4. Now add the popping corn kernels. You don’t need to add too many for a fun dancing effect.

5.  Now here comes the fun part of our dancing corn science activity. adding the vinegar.

I would suggest adding the vinegar slowly.

At this point, you have the perfect opportunity to talk about predictions and have your kids predict what they think will happen when the vinegar is added.

THE SCIENCE OF DANCING CORN

Chemistry is all about states of matter including liquids, solids, and gasses. A chemical reaction occurs between two or more substances that change and form a new substance.  In this case, you have an acid (liquid: vinegar) and a base (solid: baking soda) when combined make a gas called carbon dioxide which produces the eruption you can see as well as the dancing action.The secret to the magic dancing corn is the baking soda and vinegar chemical reaction.  The carbon dioxide bubbles lift the corn, but as the bubbles pop, the corn falls back down! You can repeat this experiment over and over again. We watched the corn “dance” for 30 minutes!

We hope you all has some FUN with this!!! STAY SAFE EVERYONE!!!