Science Lesson: Making Slime

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Time Required:  45 – 60 mins for process, pus you can allow time for research and findings.

Age groups:  Prep to year 9.. Obviously you will need some more time and assistance with the younger and possibly older kids.

Learning Intentions:  To understand what a Polymer is and how chemical reactions can change the state of certain ingredients.

 Click here to download this entire lesson plan and resources as a PDF.

Intro: We are going to make slime, any ideas how we can do it? What ingredients do you think we’ll need?

Show video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emlW5Jh-AHc&feature=relmfu  

Go through step by step instructions of how to make the slime (Paper based instructions included below - Make sure Logistics are good)

ü  Students then create the slime and put it in a bag to take home and show.

Answer the following questions once slime is made.

1.      What happened to the slime when you added the borax powder?

2.      How could we make the slime better, what variations could be offer?

Science Elements:

Now for the SCIENCE part.... This POLYMER is unique because it has qualities of both a solid and a liquid. It can take the shape of its containers like a liquid does, yet you can hold it in your hand and pick it up like a solid. As you might know, solid molecules are tight together, liquid molecules spread out and break apart (drops) POLYMER molecules CHAIN themselves together (they can stretch and bend like chains) and that makes them special. Jell-O, rubber bands, plastic soda bottles, sneaker soles, even gum are all forms of polymers. The polymer you made should be kept in a sealed plastic bag when you aren't playing with it. Also, be sure to keep it away from young kids or pets who might think it’s food. Have fun!

Recap: What is a polymer? Both a solid and a liquid. Molecules which are tiny little molecules chain together which makes an item hold its shape and then can be altered.

What are some other examples of polymers?

Extension Activity

Who can stretch their slime the longest contest?

Who find and display a practical use for it.

Click here to download this entire lesson plan and resources as a PDF.

Science Lesson: How to make Slime

Time Required:  45 – 60 mins for process, pus you can allow time for research and findings.

Slime-Spangler-Halloween-Science-Win-25-Gallons1 (1).jpg

Age groups:  Prep to year 9.. Obviously you will need some more time and assistance with the younger and possibly older kids.

Learning Intentions:  To understand what a Polymer is and how chemical reactions can change the state of certain ingredients.

 Click here to download this entire lesson plan and resources as a PDF.

Intro: We are going to make slime, any ideas how we can do it? What ingredients do you think we’ll need?

Show video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emlW5Jh-AHc&feature=relmfu  

Go through step by step instructions of how to make the slime (Paper based instructions included below - Make sure Logistics are good)

ü  Students then create the slime and put it in a bag to take home and show.

Answer the following questions once slime is made.

1.      What happened to the slime when you added the borax powder?

2.      How could we make the slime better, what variations could be offer?

Science Elements:

Now for the SCIENCE part.... This POLYMER is unique because it has qualities of both a solid and a liquid. It can take the shape of its containers like a liquid does, yet you can hold it in your hand and pick it up like a solid. As you might know, solid molecules are tight together, liquid molecules spread out and break apart (drops) POLYMER molecules CHAIN themselves together (they can stretch and bend like chains) and that makes them special. Jell-O, rubber bands, plastic soda bottles, sneaker soles, even gum are all forms of polymers. The polymer you made should be kept in a sealed plastic bag when you aren't playing with it. Also, be sure to keep it away from young kids or pets who might think it’s food. Have fun!

Recap: What is a polymer? Both a solid and a liquid. Molecules which are tiny little molecules chain together which makes an item hold its shape and then can be altered.

What are some other examples of polymers?

Extension Activity

Who can stretch their slime the longest contest?

Who find and display a practical use for it.

Click here to download this entire lesson plan and resources as a PDF.

Exploring the science of skateboarding

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The Bones Brigade - Public Domain

Sometimes it can be difficult to hook certain kids into different areas of education and capture their attention. 

Exploratorium has put together an excellent site that will certainly interest anyone who has picked up a skateboard or watched and wondered how people like Tony Hawk, can do their amazing tricks.

Skateboard Science has some really purposeful links to physics, general science and physical education that both explain how to do some complex tricks on a skateboard and also explain the background to what is actually occurring from a scientific perspective.

Take a look at skateboard science here.

118 VIDEOS TO EXPLAIN THE PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS

I wish I had of thought of this site as the concept of it is both  incredibly simple and useful.

The University of Nottingham has created ‘The Periodic Table of Videos‘which essentially explains what each element is, where it comes from and what it's properties and applications are.

Science teachers would love it as it offers large amounts of into in a short period of time, and it even has some learning tasks and resources associated with to take your lesson further. Below is the video sample for Hydrogen, my personal favourite.

SIMPLE ANIMATIONS TO EXPLAIN COMPLEX PROCEDURES

Below are a collection of animated GIF files that do a brilliant job at visually explaining how complex mechanical procedures such as how a sewing machine works.  These would be great for science and engineering students or simply those who have an inquisitive mind.  Enjoy.

RADIAL AIRCRAFT ENGINE:

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OVAL REGULATION:

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SEWING MACHINE:

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MALTA CROSS MOVEMENT - SECOND HAND MOVEMENT USED TO CONTROL THE CLOCK:

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AUTO CHANGE FILE MECHANISM:

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AUTO CONSTANT VELOCITY UNIVERSAL JOINT:

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GUN AMMUNITION LOADING SYSTEM:

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ROTARY ENGINE - AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, THE HEAT RATHER THAN THE PISTON MOVEMENT INTO ROTARY MOVEMENT:

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INLINE ENGINE - IT'S CYLINDERS LINED UP SIDE BY SIDE:

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50 PHYSICS LESSON PLANS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

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Here are a number of great science lessons plans for middle school students.  Enjoy

PHYSICS LESSONS FOR ELEMENTARY / PRIMARY STUDENTS

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I came accross this great collection of physical science lessons for elementary students.  The activities are really well planned and easy to follow.  I hope you can use them.

Lesson Ideas around Plankton

Well if you thought I haven't posted enough lesson plans about Plankton on Edgalaxy you are wrong.  Here is a great collection of sceince lessons aimed at students from grade 4 - 12 about the life and times of plankton. Download them here.