Kernels of Gold

How is popping a bowl of popcorn like panning for gold? Try this activity to find out.



What You Need

• Popcorn kernels
• Oil
• Saucepan with lid
• Large bowl
Note: You can also use microwave popcorn for this activity.


What to Do

1. Have an adult help you pop a pot of popcorn.

2. Pour all of the contents of the pot into the bowl.

3. Gently shake the bowl of popcorn.

4. Mine (eat!) the top layers away. What do you find at the bottom of the bowl?


How it Works
The unpopped kernels in your bowl are like gold nuggets in a gold pan. When miners searched for gold in streams, they used a shallow metal pan to scoop sand and gravel from the stream bottom. They’d add water and gently shake the pan back and forth. Lighter materials would float and be washed away by the water. Heavier minerals, including gold, would settle on the bottom of the pan.

String Art
Use string to make cool works of shape and pattern art!

Desert Leaves
Learn how plants conserve water in dry conditions!

Helping Backyard Birds
Build a grapefruit bird feeder and a nesting material market!