Our First Meeting!
December 21, 2024On Friday, December 13th, ChemZoo had its first session! We kicked things off with a fan favorite— SLIME!
From the moment the kids arrived, you could feel the energy and excitement in the air. The session began with a quick overview of what slime is, how it’s made, and the science behind it. Then it was time to dive in!
With cups, glue, activator, and food coloring, we mixed and experimented a lot to create their perfect slime consistency. Sure there was mess, but what’s a fun slime session without one, and what’s science without a little mess?
My students discovered:
Polymers in Action: They discovered how a simple chemical reaction between glue (a polymer) and borate ions create slime’s gooey texture.
Trial and Error: Everyone got to experiment with ratios, learning how changing ingredients impacts the end result. For example, if you add too much activator, the slime gets rubbery, and it won’t be fun to play with. They also have learned to be patient, since after mixing your activator with slime, it’s not done! Veteran slime creators know that kneading the slime is important to get that stretchy goodness!
Slime may seem simple, but it’s a fantastic introduction to chemistry, problem-solving, and creativity. For many participants, it was their first experience doing a hands-on science experiment—and their energy and enthusiasm were proof of how powerful mixing science concepts and fun can be.
Stay tuned for more experiments, and if you want to be a part of ChemZoo, sign up to be a chapter director or a volunteer in your state ChemZoo is all about making science accessible and fun, because our generation needs more scientists.
