This activity explores how scientists determined how and where corn was domesticated, as discussed in the short film Popped Secret: The Mysterious Origin of Corn.

In this film, evolutionary biologist Neil Losin embarks on a quest to learn about the origin of maize, or corn. Although the wild varieties of common crops, such as apples and wheat, look much like the cultivated species, there are no wild plants that closely resemble maize. As the film unfolds, it shows how geneticists and archaeologists have come together to unravel the mysteries of how and where maize was domesticated nearly 9,000 years ago.

The “Student Handout” probes students’ understanding of the key concepts addressed in the film. The “Educator Materials” document provides suggested pause points in the film with questions for students, background information, and detailed discussion points; a list of related resources and references; and an answer key for the “Student Handout.”