Praxis: Ooey gooey homemade plastic

By Patty Rooks on February 29, 2020.

praxis@praxismh.ca@PraxisMedHat

I know I have many loyal readers out there that love to learn new and exciting slime recipes when I come up with them. This week, I have tried something a bit different than slime – do not get me wrong, it is still pretty ooooeyyy and goooey to play with. In my opinion quite fun! Who knew science fun could be so easy with just a few simple materials many of us already have on hand at home. Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before you do this experiment.

Materials

– stove

– measuring cups

– measuring spoons

– saucepan

– homogenized milk

– vinegar

– stirring/wooden spoon

– adult science helper

– fine hole strainer

– clean empty container to store your science project in

Procedure

1. Have an adult help you with the first part of your science project as you will be using the stove.

2. Measure 125 mL (1/2 cup) of milk and pour it into the saucepan.

3. Over medium heat, stir the mixture until it begins to simmer. Be patient, and keep a close eye now – once the mixture begins to get lumpy, remove from the heat.

4. Carefully stir in 45 mL (three tablespoons) of vinegar.

5. Stir well.

6. If the mixture is not a bit gooey like slime at this point, stir on 15 mL (one tablespoon) of vinegar at a time until you get a nice slimy mixture.

7. Have an adult pour the mixture in a strainer. Be careful it is hot.

8. Pour the left over mixture in the strainer into your container to cool. DO NOT touch it yet, it is REALLY hot. Allow it to cool.

9. Once the mixture is cool, play with it just like slime. Keep it in a sealed container and it will last a bit longer than if you just leave it out unwrapped.

10. Let me know what you think – is this better than slime??

What is going on?

In this experiment you made a plastic like substance due to a chemical reaction. There is a protein in the milk called casein. This reacts with the chemical you added called acetic acid or vinegar. When these two substances are mixed together, the milk separates into a liquid and a solid. This in turn makes long “rubbery” like molecules that are flexible – until you leave them out, and they become HARD!

Calling all adults!! Do not forget to get your tickets for A Taste of Medicine Hat coming up on March 27. This fundraiser for Praxis, Science Fair and the Kiwanis is sure to be a great event you do not want to miss. You never know I may even bring some science fun for the adults to try out!!

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403.527.5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca.

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