Preschool STEAM ~ non-Newtonian Fluid! (aka Slime)

Preschool STEAM (for children ages 2-6) is all about having fun with science, math and art! There is no right or wrong way for children to experiment – the fun and learning comes from the doing! Early childhood research shows us that little hands and minds learn best when at play.

For our October STEAM adventure, we focused on “Slime” or non-Newtonian fluid.

THE INGREDIENTS:

small plastic bowl with lid

spoon

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup Elmer’s glue

1/4 cup liquid starch

5-6 drops of food coloring

glitter

What happens when you combine all of these ingredients???

Slime is all about polymers! A polymer is made up of very large chains of molecules. … Slime activators (borax, saline solution, or liquid starch) change the position of these molecules in a process called cross linking! This is the reaction between the PVA glue and the borate ions in the slime activator.

Credit: LittleBinsforHands

THE SCIENCE BEHIND SLIME!

Chemistry consists of states of matter including liquids, solids, and gasses. It is all about the way different materials are put together, and how they are made up including atoms and molecules. Additionally, chemistry is how these materials act under different conditions.

Slime is a Non-newtonian fluid. A Non-newtonian fluid is neither a liquid or a solid. It can be picked up like a solid, but it also will ooze like a liquid. Slime does not have its own shape. Slime can also change it’s shape to fill whatever container it’s placed in but it can also be bounced like a ball because of it’s elasticity.

Pull the slime slowly and it flows more freely. If you pull it quickly, the slime will break off more easily because you are breaking apart the chemical bonds.

Credit: LittleBinsforHands

Kids creating a chemical reaction by combining water, glue, and liquid starch with a bit of food coloring and glitter for pizzaz!