Objectives

To learn about polymers by making a slimy substance

Materials

• Glue gel (ie Elmer's clear school glue)
• Liquid starch (found in most grocery stores)
• Drop of food coloring
• Plastic cups or bowls
• Glitter (optional)
• Measuring cup
• Wooden craft stick (or something for stirring)

Procedure

Pour one-fourth cup glue in a plastic bowl or cup. Add food coloring. Stir until well blended. Slowly pour the glue mixture into the bowl with one-fourth cup liquid starch. Let the mixture sit for five minutes or so. Remove the concoction from the bowl with your hands, and slowly knead it until the glue absorbs most of the starch. It will be very gooey at first, but will slowly become firmer as you knead it. 

Conclusion

The glue is a liquid polymer. When you add the liquid starch, the strands of the molecules in the glue are held together. This gives the mixture its slimy feel. The starch links all the polymer strands together.