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Mrs. Stow from Prospect, CT is requesting lab equipment through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Mrs. Stow's classroom raised $426

Poppin’ Into Science: Exploring Heat Transfer with Popcorn

Help me give my students the chance to pop popcorn three ways—using a hot plate, air popper, and microwave to explore conduction, convection, and radiation through science they can see, taste, and remember!

This project expired on December 10, 2025.

Mrs. Stow Long River Middle School

Prospect, CT Grades 6-8

My Project

My 6th grade scientists are curious, energetic, and eager to understand how the world works. They thrive on experiments that connect learning to real life. Our school is diverse, and many students learn best by seeing and experiencing science. When they get to do science, not just read about it, their excitement and understanding skyrocket.

This project gives students the chance to explore heat transfer — conduction, convection, and radiation — through something fun and familiar: popcorn!

Using three tools — an air popper (convection), microwave (radiation), and hot plate with a pot (conduction) — students will pop popcorn while observing, comparing, and explaining how each method transfers heat.

-Hot air popcorn popper demonstrates convection, where hot air circulates to heat the kernels.

-Microwave oven shows radiation, where electromagnetic waves heat kernels directly.

-Electric hot plate demonstrates conduction, where heat moves by direct contact from the hot surface to the pot and kernels.

As they pop, students will:

-Measure time and temperature

-Record observations about heat movement

-Connect this to scientific vocabulary

-Reflect on how heat transfer happens in their daily lives

Heat transfer can be abstract in textbooks. This hands-on experience lets students see and taste the difference between conduction, convection, and radiation. It supports all learners, especially kinesthetic and visual, and helps them retain concepts long after the lesson. Students will hypothesize which method is fastest, test their predictions, and analyze results, building scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills.

With your support, this project will bring abstract concepts to life, engage students in inquiry, foster collaboration, and create a memorable, multi-sensory learning experience connected to everyday life.

70 students impacted 10 donors

Project tagged as

Mrs. Stow Long River Middle School Grades 6-8 Prospect, CT View local requests 70 students impacted 10donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

Hot Plate Single Tubular • Grainger $169.97 1 $169.97

Emerson MW1101W Microwave Oven with Timer & LED Display 1000W, 10 Power Levels, 6 Pre-Programmed Settings, Removable Glass Turntable with Child Safe Lock, 1.1 Cu. Ft, White • Amazon Business $110.20 1 $110.20

DASH Turbo POP Popcorn Maker with Measuring Cup to Portion Popping Corn Kernels + Melt Butter, 8 Cup Popcorn Machine - Aqua • Amazon Business $27.59 1 $27.59

Orville Redenbacher's Microwave Popcorn, Movie Theater Butter Flavor, 3.29 oz., 24-Count • Amazon Business $12.72 1 $12.72

Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popcorn Kernels, Original Yellow, 30 oz. • Amazon Business $6.62 1 $6.62

Materials cost			$327.10
Vendor shipping charges			FREE
Sales tax			$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee			$4.91
Fulfillment labor & materials			$30.00
Total project cost			$362.01
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$63.88
Total project goal			$425.89
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$425.89
9 Donors			-$309.01
Donations toward project cost			-$266.41
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$42.60
match offer			-$112.50
Match offer toward project cost			-$95.62
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$16.88
Excluded support for DonorsChoose			-$4.41
Still needed View calculation Hide calculation			$0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Stow and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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This teacher needs your help!

Poppin’ Into Science: Exploring Heat Transfer with Popcorn

This project expired on December 10, 2025.

My Project

Project tagged as

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

How we calculate what's needed

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.