Polymers: Glue + Liquid Starch

I've been playing with around with recipes to make assorted slimes and such in preparation for a library program this summer.

A simple slime to concoct uses glue and liquid starch (you can find it in the laundry aisle)

You can find people using all different proportions, but I use about equal amounts of each (I eyeball it) poured into a cup.  You can add food coloring to the mixture as you desire.  Stir until things gel up (if it's too sticky, add more starch).  Then you can knead it with your hands.  (You can rinse off any extra starch).  As you play with it, it will become more smooth and gel/putty like.

You might also want to try using clear glue , with or without food coloring for a different effect.

Science in the Library

For the past couple of years, I've been working part-time in our local library.  In addition to typical library duties (checking out books, shelving books etc.), I've taken on responsibility for much of the children's programming that goes on at our location.

I've started a blog to share some of those programming ideas with others.  I get so many ideas from the Internet, I want to give back what I can.

I thought I'd share the news here, as I know many of the Science Matters readers work with groups of children in a variety of settings. I have to keep things flexible, as I never know how many people will show up for the program or exactly what the age make-up will be.  I'll let you know my contingency plans for each activity!

Given my background, it's probably not much of a  surprise to hear that much of the programming has a science spin to it.  In fact, we've started three science clubs at the library this spring.  I'll likely cross-post the science ideas to the Science Matters blog, so the people interested in just science content can find it all in one place.

Winner, winner

The winner in our Top Ten Household Objects comment contest is...

Mrs. M at Orchard View!!!


Thanks to everyone who participated and make sure you check out those comments to find some more great ideas!

More new stuff later this week!

Top Ten Household Items #1

#1 on the Top Ten List of Household Items to Use in Your Science Classroom is:

Food Coloring

Definitely a worthy winner!  I use it all the time and I'm sure there are lots more ideas to add to the list!


Tie-Dye Name-tags
Beads of Color
Capillary Action in Action
Frustration Bottles
Mixing Colors
States of Matter
Diffusion Demonstration
Finding Equilibrium (Water)
Salt Water Painting 
Solubility Fireworks
Magic Marble
Milk Fireworks
Sugar Density Column
Contact Lens Safety
A Hole in the Water
Celery in Colored Water
Egg-speriment

Comment on this post to be entered to win a prize box containing most of the Top Ten Items.  And remember, if your comment contains an additional use (not mentioned above) for food coloring in the science classroom, you'll receive a bonus entry!

Top Ten Household Items #2

#2 on the Top Ten List of Household Items to Use in Your Science Classroom is:

Pennies

Pennies have so many great uses in the classroom!  What can you add to the list?

Penny boats
Penny Passengers
Genetics Penny Flip
Inertia Penny Finger
Penny Knock Out
Penny in a Cup
Drops on a Penny
Half-Life Model
Spot the Penny (refraction)
Projectile Motion
Penny in a Balloon
Salt, Vinegar and Pennies (chemical changes)
Balance a Lever

Comment on this post to be entered to win a prize box containing most of the Top Ten Items.  And remember, if your comment contains an additional use (not mentioned above) for pennies in the science classroom, you'll receive a bonus entry!

Top Ten Household Items #3

#3 on the Top Ten List of Household Items to Use in Your Science Classroom is:

Balloons

I didn't even realize how often I used balloons in the classroom... And I don't think this is a complete list! Share your ideas in the comments!

The Expanding Universe
Blow up a Balloon in a Bottle
The Importance of Cell Walls
Penny in a Balloon
Ideal Gas Law with a Balloon
The Shape of Molecules
Balloon in a Flask
Model Lung
Steel Wool and Vinegar
Bending Water
Cellular Respiration in Yeast
Build a Coral Reef
From Solid and Liquid to Gas
Bernoulli Balloons


Comment on this post to be entered to win a prize box containing most of the Top Ten Items.  And remember, if your comment contains an additional use (not mentioned above) for balloons in the science classroom, you'll receive a bonus entry!

Top Ten Household Items #4

#4 on the Top Ten List of Household Items to Use in Your Science Classroom is:

Vinegar

Vinegar is a great item to have on hand - it's a key component in many simple and safe chemical reactions

Seashells and Acidification
Egg-speriment
Steel Wool and Vinegar
Salt, Vinegar and Pennies
The Importance of Brushing Your Teeth
Baby Birds and Acid Rain
Why You Need Calcium
From Solid and Liquid to Gas
Erupt a Volcano
The Cabbage Caper
Mystery Solutions Lab
pH of Household Substances

Comment on this post to be entered to win a prize box containing most of the Top Ten Items.  And remember, if your comment contains an additional use (not mentioned above) for vinegar in the science classroom, you'll receive a bonus entry!

By the way, vinegar won't be included in the prize box - can't figure out how to ship that easily.  Guess I'll have to find a special surprise item to take its place!